Victor Pasmore Gallery and Inizjamed have joined forces for a series of open mics that started in 2024, inspired by Victor Pasmore’s work—a springboard and inspiration for a theme the general public is invited to engage with.

Amid his continued artistic explorations throughout his time in Malta (1966–1998), Pasmore dipped his pen in ink and began to write poems—verses, sometimes formed, sometimes found, that he eventually integrated into his paintings, prints, and publications. The content of these writings wander about restlessly, constantly questioning our place in the world, history, and myth. But the questions remain unanswered. It is the questioning, the creating, and composing of these poems, that keeps the poet alive, that gives a voice, perhaps, to an image that yearns to be free.

 The Victor Pasmore Gallery and Inizjamed are organising the second open mic in this series of three open mics to celebrate the poet and the visual artist. The gallery will open its doors for poets, writers, musicians, storytellers, and wordsmiths to play with (and share) their verse-making process. The second open mic will be held on 24 January at 6 p.m at the Victor Pasmore Gallery in Valletta (275, St Paul Street). This session deals with the notion of the FOUND.

In Burning Waters (1998), Victor Pasmore asks: ‘What is the object over there?’ and ‘By what means can we know?’ This deep curiosity and interest in poetry led him to weave poetic verses into his artwork. In this open-mic session, we invite authors and creatives to share works—whether created or admired—that are composed of FOUND things: observed, collected, or experienced.

All open mic sessions are free and bilingual (Maltese and English). Booking in advance is highly recommended. The gallery will be open for visits, and conversations may continue afterward over a complimentary glass of wine.

Glen Calleja is the guest writer for this edition. He is a writer, editor, and publisher who suffers from acute misanthropy and who, occasionally, dabbles in making handmade dolls. Calleja is also a bookbinder and the founder of Kotba Calleja. He is the writer of several works of poetry including kull flgħaxija kif mal-għabex tnin u tmut saħħet il-jum, Iswed Assolut and, more recently, SOMNVM. He is a twin but not a clone and although deeply devoted to pizza and a good drop, he is still not religious. Calleja is co-founder of Studio Solipsis and of HELA Foundation, an organisation that works in favour of literature and the Maltese literature industry.