Kids!!! This art exhibition, titled But I see beauty and wonder... is especially for you!

Have you ever visited an art exhibition before? If not, get ready for something magical - a giant kaleidoscope of fun and wonder! Imagine taking things that might seem boring, sad, weird, or even a little unpleasant and transforming them into something bright, exciting and beautiful. It's like pointing a kaleidoscope at an ordinary scene and, with just a few turns, see it burst into a world of colour and magic!

In this exhibition, I've invited artists from Malta and places like Italy, France, Iran, the USA and India. They've taken inspiration from all kinds of things - scary dreams, personal fears, worries about the world, and even tough challenges in life. But instead of focusing on the negative, these artists used their creative superpowers to turn those feelings into something amazing. They've spun what might seem ugly or spooky into something colourful, cool, and full of wonder.

Are you ready to hear all the incredible stories behind each artwork? Let's go!

First, we meet SJ Fuerst, an American artist, and her stunning painting Mountain goat. This piece explores the fear of heights. SJ portrays a brave mountain goat calmly standing on a snowy, narrow ledge. But that's not all - she's created a magical setup, complete with real-looking snow! SJ wants to show us how empowering it is to face our fears. When we climb high, even if it's scary, we can see breathtaking views. Like SJ, who's afraid of heights herself, this artwork reminds us that bravery leads to amazing things.

From high up on the mountains, we dive deep into the ocean with Katel Delia, a French artist, and her two magical projections about water pollution. The first projection takes you to Ċirkewwa, a special underwater haven in Malta where fish thrive without disturbance. Just two years ago, it became a protected area, and now, countless fish swim happily there. The second projection, displayed on a screen made of recycled plastic bags, highlights the creeping danger of pollution. Together, these works remind us of the importance of protecting our seas.

Back on land, digging deep into it, to be exact, young Maltese artist Bernice Vassallo explores the secret world of tiny underground fungi called mycorrhizal fungi. These incredible fungi form a hidden network that helps plants "talk" to each other and share nutrients, especially in tough conditions. Using delicate thread, Bernice creates an intricate, magical representation of this underground communication, urging us to appreciate nature's hidden wonders.

Indian artist Shweta Urane brings to life the urgent problem of climate change with a moving artwork - literally! Her kinetic sculpture shows deer slowly disappearing over time, symbolising the loss of animal habitats. It's a powerful reminder of why we need to protect nature.

Shweta also presents a monumental installation featuring nearly 700 faces, which she sketched from her observations of people on Mumbai trains. Suspended in Spazju Kreattiv's grand atrium, these faces remind us to notice the individuality in a sea of people and appreciate that everyone has something special and unique to offer.

We even have fairytales! Get ready for some magical stories with a twist! Italian artist Rebecca Ranieri uses a special light technique to let YOU change the endings of three fairy tales. At first, her works might seem a little sad or dark, but as soon as they light up, they transform into something beautiful and happy. Rebecca wants to show us how a little light can change everything.

Italian artists Fabio Viola and Luca Carpentieri invite you to become the artist of an entire city! Their interactive projection starts with a gloomy, broken city, but with the help of a special magic torch, you can turn it into a vibrant, happy place. It's like holding the power of transformation in your hands!

Renowned Italian sculptor Willy Verginer shares two fascinating sculptures. In one, a little girl holds an empty box, symbolising the uncertainty of the future. While the unknown can feel scary, Willy encourages us to see it as a world full of possibilities. The second sculpture features a little boy, a donkey, and golden poop - inspired by a German fairy tale where a donkey produces gold coins. It asks us to reflect on what we truly value in life.

Meanwhile, Maltese artist Aaron Bezzina presents three puzzling sculptures. They look like everyday tools but are designed to be unusable. Aaron's works challenge us to think before we act, reminding us to pause and consider our choices. Like in fairy tales, there is a message that we should be careful what we wish for and be cautious about consequences!

Maltese artist John Paul Azzopardi turns discarded materials into extraordinary sculptures. His artwork, Calibration No. 1, is made entirely of bones. It doesn't represent anything specific but encourages you to meditate in silence, focus on the present moment, and find beauty in unexpected places.

If you dare, enter our cave that seems to be home to glowing jellyfish, where tights for kids form a magical installation! These jellyfish guard a treasure trove of messages shared by children and visitors. Feel free to share any sad or upsetting thoughts with the jellyfish - they're great listeners. While it might not make every bad feeling disappear, it can help you feel stronger. And with the jellyfish by your side, maybe those heavy thoughts will float away, just like bubbles in the sea!

Artist Clint Calleja introduces us to Jack, his son living with Type 1 diabetes. Portrayed with large wings, like Icarus, Clint reminds us how Jack has to work hard to keep his blood sugar levels "just right" - not too high nor too low. Behind Jack, we see an artwork that looks like a stunning rose window, but if you look a bit closer, you'll discover it's made entirely of insulin needles that Jack has used!

Iranian artist Sima Kahaki explores the uncomfortable feeling that sometimes we get when we are surrounded by crowds of people or piles of objects. Her artworks depict beautiful large masses like dense forests, trash piles and even fluffy chicks, which in reality deep within are hiding ruin, decay and sadness. Sima invites us to look at the world in a new light, showing that even difficult moments can become beautiful depending on how we choose to see them!

Finally, Maltese artist Darren Tanti transforms an old oil tank - a symbol of pollution and man's greed with earth's resources - into a breathtaking artwork. When you look inside, you'll discover an infinite tunnel of light, reminding us that even in the darkest places, beauty can shine through.

As you explore the exhibition, think about how art can help us see the world differently. Like a kaleidoscope, it takes the ordinary and spins it into something magical. Every artwork here has its own story, ready to spark your imagination and fill you with wonder. So, dive in, look closely, and enjoy the magic! This exhibition is your space to discover, dream and see beauty where you might least expect it.

In addition to the exhibition, we have prepared a number of workshops just for you kids! You can discover more about creating art with light, creating sculptures from clay, having a go at creating embroidery works, and, wait for it... even creating art with a robotic arm! We also have a workshop where you can create stylised portraits and a photography mini-masterclass!

The exhibition is organised by Spazju Kreattiv as part of the ŻiguŻajg Festival, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta.

The exhibition is on until 5 January at Spazju Kreattiv, Space A, B, Atrium & Atrium approach. For more information visit ziguzajg.org