From 8 to 29 October, Devonshire Square will host Rebirth – Between Body and Matter, an exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Gaby Jonna, curated by Bionda Sno and presented by 1108B as part of Devonshire Square’s Cultural Programme.
Hosted at DSQube Creative Studio, the exhibition brings together original paintings and sculptures exploring the relationship between the human body, nature and the transformative power of experience.
At the heart of Jonna’s practice is an exploration of bodily intelligence as a source of knowledge and transformation. Through movement, meditation and touch, she investigates the body’s relationship with its surroundings, drawing connections between human experience and natural ecologies.
Working with natural materials to create her paintings and sculptures, Jonna embraces texture, rhythm and material gesture to explore how forms evolve, adapt and retain traces of their past. Her work reflects the understanding that, like nature, we are never fixed, but continually shaped by the people, places and experiences we encounter.
A painter, sculptor and performer, Jonna has exhibited her work in the UK and internationally, including at the Arsenale of Venice, Cramer St Gallery and Nunnery Gallery. Her accolades include the Arte Laguna Art Prize (2022) and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Young Talent Award (2021). She holds an MA in Contemporary Art Practice from the Royal College of Art, graduating in 2022.
The exhibition extends beyond the visual through conceptual performances by Jonna during the vernissage on 8 October and finissage on 29 October. Moving among the artworks, the artist brings her own body into dialogue with the pieces, accompanied by sound and breath from sound healing therapist and breath-worker Ambar Surastri. Together, movement, sound and material create a sensory experience reflecting the exhibition’s central themes of presence, connection and transformation.
The vernissage will extend the exhibition’s exploration of sensory experience and human connection through the rituals of tea and aperitivo, creating a natural dialogue between art, culture and the pleasure of sharing. Gina Huang of Still & Shift will introduce visitors to a fresh perspective on Taiwanese tea, drawing on the connections between travel, culture and human encounters. Meanwhile, Gin 1689, an authentic Dutch-Anglo gin brand inspired by a 17th-century recipe discovered in the British Library, will bring a distinctive piece of gin heritage to the evening. Together, these offerings invite visitors to slow down, engage the senses and connect through shared experiences that complement the exhibition’s reflection on presence, transformation and the relationships between people and their surroundings.
Rebirth – Between Body and Matter runs from 7 to 29 October at DSQube Creative Studio, Devonshire Square. The exhibition is open to the public weekly, Wednesday to Friday, from 2pm to 6pm, with guided viewings available by prior arrangement.
The vernissage on 8 October and finissage on 29 October will both take place from 6pm to 9pm. These special events are open to the public, with registration required due to limited availability. To register or arrange a guided viewing, email hello@1108B.com.
For enquiries about DSQ’s Multicultural Events Programme, Festival of the Arts, visual art exhibitions and upcoming activations please contact frontdesk@dsq.london. Your enquiry will be forwarded to the DSQ Community and Events Management.