Awkward Food - an exhibition by Elizaveta Maltseva

AWKWARD FOOD A solo exhibition by Elizaveta Maltseva Awkward Food is a humorous and semi-autobiographical exploration of Melbourne-based artist Elizaveta Maltseva’s cultural identity and heritage through food and dining. On the surface the exhibition comically toys with ideas of growing up as a weird ethnic kid – in this case, a Russian one. On a deeper level, Awkward Food talks about sharing meals as a gateway to greater cultural understanding and human connections. Elizaveta presents complex and awkward narratives through whimsical drawings and grungy monoprints. While the photographs are at times nostalgic in aesthetic, the drawn and textual elements are more cathartic in nature. Elizaveta’s personal Russian heritage is incidental, as the scenarios presented are relatable to all new Australians and those who have experienced life as a cultural minority. Essentially, she aims to capture the idea that sharing culinary experience and meals is a fundamental part of cultural diplomacy and greater multicultural understanding. Elizaveta Maltseva is an artist, curator and arts manager with over ten years local and international exhibition experience. Elizaveta returned to Melbourne in 2016 after living in Edinburgh, where she is still an active member of the visual arts scene. She also works as Special Projects Manager for Going Down Swinging, one of Australia’s longest-running literary magazines, running events and curating an international artistic exchange and roving exhibition, Return Flight. Elizaveta came to Melbourne from Moscow, Russia, in the mid-nineties as a child. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) from Monash University and a Masters of Arts and Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne. Join us for the opening of Awkward Food from 6-9pm on Friday 24th November at BSIDE Gallery, 121 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Proudly supported by Young Henrys Awkward Food will run from Wednesday 22nd November - Sunday 3rd December 2017