As early in my practice as I can remember, there has been a curiosity in the work of Alexandra Pace which I have found fascinating. The blurred lines between her disciplines has always excited me—and became something I relate to. She studied at Central Saint Martins—just a few years before I did. She understands space goes beyond the physical—we treat it as a concept both tangible and intangible.
But it's that word curiosity that I find most inspiring. She's always ahead of the next thing to add to her skillset, the next subject for her to unpack and the newest territory to make her own. Quiet, focused and curious in her Valletta studio, this is who Alexandra Pace is to me.
Andrew Borg Wirth March '25
Q:What writers are you into these days? Who are you reading or listening to now?
I’m currently working on a new body of photography work so I’m immersing myself in things which trigger my mind. Right now i’m reading 140 Artists’ Ideas for Planet Earth edited by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Kostas Stasinopoulos and browsing through a gorgeous catalogue of work and essays on Ettore Sottsass and The Social Factory. Although my medium is photography, I’m fuelled by a diversity of genres and practices, from cinema to architecture, industrial design and nature.
Q: What do you prefer in your relationships : mystery or clarity?
The unknown is always attractive but it is not a scenario I would linger in. I treasure clarity, honesty and the qualities I find most attractive are realness and self- awareness. In turn, it brings out the best in me too.
Q: Are you more comfortable on the periphery or in the centre?
In general, I’d say I am most comfortable on the periphery. I’m an observer, I enjoy the quiet, intimate gatherings and meaningful exchanges. You’re unlikely to find me in large parties or loud spaces, unless i’ve got my camera in hand in which case i’ll go wherever something interesting draws me in. Safe to say, I’m the same person both metaphorically and literally - no surprises there.
Q: What do you find most enticing about your life?
Creativity. I feel most alive when I’m making things - taking photographs, developing and making prints in my darkroom, fulfilling commissioned projects, building brands, collaborating and conversing with friends. And freedom. The ability to travel, to see the world and to experience as much as I can. Time is so precious, I don’t want to waste any of it. It’s a privilege not to be taken for granted.
Q: What city do you think has the best public space, and where would you live if not in Malta?
I don’t really look for cities in my travels. My partner and I both favour adventure, the great outdoors and exploring in our holidays. We ride motorcycles and are always looking for excuses to leave our little island and ride the open roads, our favourites being the great mountain passes. Right now I cannot think of anywhere specific as home is feeling quite right for the time being but if we were anywhere else, I’d definitely want to be somewhere that opens up a world of cross-country road travel without having to get off an island first! Come to think of it, it’s quite sad to realize that living in a country that has no idea of public space might make one used to not looking for it.
