PERFORMANCE Discussing trans men non-binary and LBQI

Art News / Malta

November - December 2021

MALTA

INTRODUCING ROSA KWIR: AN EXPERIMENTAL ARCHIVE

Artist Romeo Roxman unveils his latest project, Rosa Kwir, on 18 November 2021 at 38, Main Street Balzan, Malta. Rosa Kwir is an experimental virtual and physical archive, bringing together stories of trans men, non-binary and LBQI masculine presenting people. The title of this project was inspired by a story dating back to 1774 when Rosa Mifsud, a 17-year-old intersex person, petitioned for a change in sex from female to male.

Romeo Roxman has been working on the project with collaborator Charlie Cauchi for the past year. The archive is made up of ephemera, objects, live testimony, and other material collected from the many participants that took part in this project. The artist will showcase some of the material gathered through this project, as well as officially launching a new publication, Rosa Kiwr: A Family Album, and the online archive.

Rosa Kwir enabled the artist to open a dialogue about alternative notions of masculinity. “Personally,” Romeo Roxman explains, “this project has been a big learning experience. I’ve had so many heartfelt and honest interactions and discovered so much beauty in each one of the people I met. The few negative encounters I had also provided an opportunity for reflection. I can’t help but worry about the damage society has inflicted on transgender and gender non-conforming people and how most of us must really work hard not to internalise these negative attitudes and beliefs about being transgender/ gender non-conforming in the form of internalised transphobia or trans negativity.”

This project is supported by Arts Council Malta. It opens on 18 November between 6pm - 10pm. Exhibition dates – 19 November – 30 December 2021. Opening times – Wed- Friday, 5 - 8pm or by appointment. Venue – 38, Main Street Balzan, BZN 1259, Malta. Free Admission, subject to Covid-19 measures.