Jo Dounis will be exhibiting sculpture for the first time, in her fourth solo exhibition, titled Revixit, held at il-Kamra ta' Fuq and curated by yours truly.

Yes, that's correct! Dounis has been working on a series of sculptures and we at il-Kamra ta' Fuq are very excited to be part of this next step in Jo's eclectic artistic journey. I have worked with Jo on numerous collective exhibitions, and this is my second time curating a solo exhibition for her - the first being the exhibition YFES at Gemelli Art Gallery. In both cases, she was experimenting with something new.

At YFES, we saw her transition from fluid art to her very tactile works. Now, in Revixit, we are witnessing something even more different: her 3D works. This shows a swift evolution in her artistic journey and a mastery of diverse media. One of the things I love about Jo is that she is quite fearless, and this comes across clearly in her art. She is eager to experiment and very courageously steps out of her comfort zone.

Revixit - to live again - revolves around Jo's love for nature and her ability to give new life to dead pieces of wood. All works in this collection originate from found pieces of wood - some destined for the fireplace, others stranded on a beach, and some even coming from other countries. Each piece has its own story to tell. It's important to note that no living trees or plants were harmed in any way for this project. On the contrary, Dounis has been recycling these discarded pieces of wood, discovering beauty where most of us wouldn't see it.

The work on these sculptures began less than a year ago. However, Dounis has been collecting interesting pieces of wood for several years, storing them, and waiting for the right moment to use them. In fact, it was at a social event when she told me, "Mel, guess what, I'll be doing sculpture for my exhibition at il-Kamra ta' Fuq" and I was like, "WHAT?!" I had to see it to believe it, but I was immediately captivated by her concept and the first few works of the collection.

Speaking of seeing and believing, be sure to check out the short presentation on one of our TVs at New Life Bar before going up to the exhibition space. There, you can see some photos of "the before" showing images of these pieces of wood before Dounis started working her magic on them.

The wood for three of Jo's sculptures has an intriguing origin, traveling all the way from the US after one of her trips. This wood comes from the Joshua Tree, which develops a unique pattern of holes when it dies, adding an interesting texture to the pieces. Dounis transformed these three pieces into a striking trio of black and gold sculptures, where the natural hole patterns play beautifully with the textures. She further incorporated parts of our own dried prickly-pear leaves, blending local and foreign elements in her work.

Another noteworthy piece, titled Lingebos, comes from the Netherlands. The dead, raw tree branch was brought to Malta by a Dutch friend who moved to the island permanently and later gave it to Jo to "do something with it". In this silver-grey sculpture, we see a delicate flow of Fluorite stones nestled within the wood. Dounis has a knack for incorporating various natural stones and crushed glass into her sculptures, each chosen for their unique properties. In the case of Lingebos, Fluorite is known for its ability to clear the mind of distractions and enhance intuitive abilities while fostering universal consciousness.

One of the largest works in the collection, titled Long in the Tooth, indeed lives up to its name with a width of 74cm. This piece originates from a palm tree leaf stem found on a beach, which Dounis revitalised by using it as a base for her painting instead of a traditional canvas. The sculpture features an abstract painting with tonalities reminiscent of the sea and summer, with blue hues and gold perhaps inspired by the coastal location where Jo discovered it.

Jo's abstract painting techniques also shine in two other works, Wild Thing and Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, which are among my personal favorites. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie has sparked considerable debate among visitors, each interpreting its form differently. Some see a sleeping puppy, others a man on horseback, and some perceive a male torso. These two sculptures highlight Dounis' artistic evolution, transitioning from her painterly works on canvas to these three-dimensional explorations.

One of the most captivating pieces in Jo Dounis' collection is the hanging sculpture titled Nature's Filigree. This work features wood enveloped in a delicate, silver "lace" created from a dried prickly-pear leaf. Nestled within what resembles a small mouth is a cluster of Apophyllite stone, known for its stress-relieving properties. The intricate detailing and the thoughtful integration of natural materials make this piece truly enchanting.

Gossamer is another standout, depicting what appears to be a blue and golden bird captured in mid-flight. One of its wings extends into an intricate golden cobweb - gossamer - crafted from the dried prickly-pear leaf. This delicate structure showcases the leaf's natural beauty and highlights Dounis' ability to find elegance in unexpected forms.

Another significant piece in the collection is Yin, Land and Sea. This large sculpture features a long, thin, vertical branch topped with a cluster of vintage coral from the Philippines, dating back to the 1970s and complete with a certificate of provenance. The wood represents the land, while the coral symbolises the sea. The concept of yin is subtly engraved into the wood, inviting viewers to discover it for themselves. This piece beautifully merges elements from different environments, creating a harmonious representation of nature's balance.

These sculptures, along with the other works in the exhibition, reflect Jo Dounis' innovative spirit and her dedication to breathing new life into found objects. Her ability to transform ordinary pieces of wood into extraordinary works of art is a testament to her creative vision and mastery of diverse media. Revixit is not just an exhibition; it is a celebration of renewal, transformation, and the endless possibilities of artistic expression.

Dounis, an optimist and somewhat of a dreamer, always seeks to connect with viewers of her art on a deeply emotional level and inspire positive feelings of peace, calm and tranquility in an otherwise turbulent world.

She has participated in numerous collective exhibitions throughout the years as well as having three solo exhibitions, with Revixit being the fourth. Her art can be found in private collections in Malta as well as in North America, Australia, the Middle East and several countries in Europe.

Revixit is on until 7 July at il-Kamra ta' Fuq, Mqabba. For more information follow them on Facebook and other social media