Malta Biennale is an international contemporary art event whose first two editions were held under the patronage of UNESCO and the President of the Republic of Malta. Its distinctive character lies in the relationship between contemporary art and cultural heritage: exhibitions are presented in historic forts, museums and other heritage sites across Malta and Gozo. Architecture is more than a backdrop here – it becomes part of the artistic experience, opening up new possibilities for interpreting the works. 

For OmenaArt Foundation, participating in the biennale means more than organising an exhibition. We see it as an opportunity to develop collaboration between artists, curators and institutions, strengthen artists’ international presence and create projects whose significance extends beyond the duration of the event. 

13 march – 31 may 2024 | Fort St Elmo, Valletta, Malta 

At the inaugural Malta Biennale, OmenaArt Foundation presented the thematic pavilion “Other Geographies, Other Stories”. The exhibition concept was developed by Hanna Wróblewska, with Natalia Bradbury serving as curator. Five women artists were invited to participate: Barbara Falender, Iza Jagiełło, Ida Karkoszka, Lia Dostlieva and Aleksandra Karpowicz. Coming from Poland and Ukraine, they brought together different media and generational experiences in a narrative exploring migration, social transformation and the search for a sense of belonging. 

Among the works on display were Barbara Falender’s sculptures “She” and “He”, alongside Ida Karkoszka’s monumental “Mamma”, created from local limestone during a three-month artist residency in Malta. Positioned at the entrance to Fort St Elmo, Karkoszka’s sculpture explored themes of corporeality, motherhood and the capacity to sustain life. The exhibition offered a perspective on history through women’s experiences, proposing care, empathy and solidarity as alternatives to narratives shaped by domination and conflict. 

Photography, video and installation expanded this narrative with further perspectives. Lia Dostlieva’s “Book of Long Objects” evoked the stories of successive generations of women confronting war and displacement. Aleksandra Karpowicz’s “Body as Home” invited reflection on the body and belonging, while Iza Jagiełło’s works from the “Affective Territories” series introduced themes of emotion, personal experience and boundaries.

 11 march – 29 may 2026, Former Armoury of the Knights of Malta, Birgu, Malta 

The Foundation’s second participation in Malta Biennale took the form of a Polish-Ghanaian dialogue through textiles. The thematic pavilion “Redefining. Polish-Ghanaian Textile Narratives”, curated by Natalia Bradbury, was organised by OmenaArt Foundation and LuginsLand of Art. Large-scale textile works by Marta Nadolle, Eliza Proszczuk and Ernestina Mansa Doku were complemented by a sound installation by Mariusz Szypura, bringing together experiences of material, space and sound. 

The project drew on the historical connections between Poland and Ghana, including educational cooperation established in the 1960s and the textile heritage of Łódź. The exhibition referenced the philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are” – emphasising interdependence, dignity and the importance of community. Textiles became both carriers of memory and a means of telling stories about relationships that can be sustained, renewed and developed. 

Each artist brought her own distinctive language to the project. Ernestina Mansa Doku explored an organic approach to materials and nature; Eliza Proszczuk addressed questions of memory, emancipation and the body; while Marta Nadolle examined interpersonal relationships and the tensions between private and public life. Their encounter brought personal narratives into dialogue with a broader story of collaboration across cultures. 

“Redefining. Polish-Ghanaian Textile Narratives” received The Maltese Falcon award in the Best Pavilion category at Malta Biennale 2026. The winner was selected by an independent international jury of contemporary art experts. The recognition of the project curated by Natalia Bradbury highlighted the international significance of collaboration between Polish and Ghanaian women artists. 

For the Foundation, the award also affirms the value of an approach in which exhibitions grow out of long-term relationships, collaborative work and a thoughtful engagement with different experiences. 

The Foundation’s involvement in Malta Biennale is closely connected to OmenaArt Foundation’s International artist residency programme. Ida Karkoszka’s residency in Malta made it possible to create the sculpture presented in 2024. The works developed for the 2026 edition also took shape during artist residencies, giving the artists time and space to experiment, exchange knowledge and engage with the local context. 

An important stage leading up to the “Redefining” exhibition was a series of encounters during Accra Cultural Week 2025 in Ghana. Marta Nadolle, Eliza Proszczuk and Ernestina Mansa Doku, working alongside local artists, organised workshops for children at Kids Haven School, exploring the textile heritage of Poland and Ghana. These educational activities became part of a creative process that subsequently continued in Malta. 

The project also continues to grow through institutional collaboration. Partners of the 2026 pavilion included the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Malta, the Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź and Phenomenaa Gallery. Bringing together artistic, curatorial and organisational expertise makes it possible to develop initiatives that engage communities across different countries. 

We invite artists, cultural institutions, organisations and patrons to explore opportunities for collaboration on OmenaArt Foundation’s international exhibition projects. We are particularly interested in partnerships that bring together art exhibitions, artist residencies, education and knowledge exchange. Together, we want to create the conditions in which new ideas can become artworks, and encounters can grow into lasting relationships. Contact: [email protected].