07/07/2026
New limited edition by Joëlle Dubois
Joëlle Dubois | Milo, 2026
40 + 5 AP
15 x 22 x 4 cm, hand-painted ceramic. Price: 935 euros | 850 euros (members) Joëlle Dubois’s (b. 1990, Ghent) recent work reveals a more introspective approach, centering on themes of memory, grief, loss, and the search for solace. While her earlier paintings were characterized by vibrant colors and sensual figures, she now opts for a more subdued palette and restrained compositions. This new chapter serves as an intimate reflection on the loss of her mother and the accompanying grieving process. The fading—and ultimate loss—of individuality and identity forms the central thread; Joëlle witnessed the person within her mother gradually slip away due to Alzheimer’s disease. Dubois has delved into the symbolism surrounding life and death, incorporating elements such as forget-me-nots, crows, lilies, and eggs. The work also features personal references, including the leopard print that was her mother’s favorite, Post-it notes serving as memory aids, and Milo—her mother’s dog, whom Dubois has since taken into her own care.
This edition reflects the spirituality she experienced during her time in Mexico.
The spirituality surrounding the temples of Teotihuacán centers on balance, the cosmos, and the cycle of life. The original builders did not view the city merely as a place to live, but as an exact earthly replica of the universe.
The central thoroughfare running past the temples is known as the Avenue of the Dead (*Calzada de los Mu***os*). In Teotihuacán spirituality, this was a symbolic path connecting three worlds: the underworld (the caves beneath the pyramids), the earthly realm (the avenue itself), and the heavens (the summits of the temples). In Joëlle’s own spirituality, it represents a connection between her mother, herself, and her dog, Milo.
On view S.M.A.K.
