Review /Exhibition / Katya Saunders / Malta Gay Rights Movement

MALTA

Held at Spazju Kreattiv Valletta between the 17th December 2022 and the 22nd January 2023 complimented by the official launch of her biography, penned by Ramona Depares and produced by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), the exhibition which brought the iconic Katya back to the realm of the fabulous was curated by Romeo Roxman Gatt and Charlie Cauchi. Although as they themselves admit, the person of interest herself was a very real contributor to the curation.

The material and asomatous installations alike oozed the spirit of a confidant rebel who seemed to be capable of orchestrating and moulding social realities, albeit painfully at times, into inspiring change and opened the range of perception of a nation which not only allowed her to be, but also paved the yellow brick path for queer persons who came after her.

Through video, documentary, photos, installations and cabinet-of-curiosity styled artifacts the audience gets a glimpse of the strategy, direction and curation of a life lived to the full. The exhibition allowed some layers to be peeled off the glamorous, well made up and sunglass ornate facade although every work also alludes to the many other layers few even knew existed.

The responsibility that comes with representing such a strong and complex figure through various media in a cohesive yet moving way is not to be underestimated.

I caught up with the curators after the show for some of their thoughts.

Charlie Cauchi

‘I’ve had the iconic poster of Kayta’s Tugulio performance on my wall for many years. I’d always wanted to make a piece of work – be that a film or another medium – about her. Sadly, I never got to do this when she was still alive. When