'Archipelago' by Maltese artist-curator Raphael Vella is a collaborative artistic project that will form part of 'The island is what the sea surrounds', a major international exhibition (opening 24 March 2018) that will form part of Valletta 2018, European Capital of Culture. 'Archipelago' will be shown in an old examination centre in the St Elmo area of Valletta — a venue that is directly linked to the work's concept, which revolves around the relationship between education, aspirations, dialogue and insularity. What is the relationship between island life and success? Do emerging artists living in different islands have similar hopes and challenges?

Artworks are to respond to the following question: Is an island a place one escapes to or escapes from? Emerging artists based on any island in the Mediterranean sea (or have lived on such an island for a sustained period of time) can participate by sending a single, high-quality image with the following specifications: images must be A4 in size (210 x 297 mm) while the image orientation should be horizontal (landscape). Images may be produced in single or combined media such as drawing, photography, collage, digital imagery and text.  Artists are especially encouraged to use text (or combined text/image), which must be in the artist's native language or dialect. Selected images will be printed in the same dimensions (A4) without any changes or cropping and included in a large installation in the exhibiiton at St Elmo in  Valletta. The names of all artists whose works have been included in the installation will be listed as 'participants' in the project.  Selected artists will also be able to participate in a follow-up stage of the project, starting in December, 2017, in which an international dialogue between artists on different islands will be initiated. More information about this stage of the project will be sent to selected artists following the deadline - 18 December, 2017.