Danish Artist and Architect Rune Bo Jakobsen (B. 1975) has studied, worked and tutored workshops in Denmark, Arizona, Italy, Finland, Greece, Mexico and Malta. Jakobsen runs full time an art studio & gallery in Central Malta where guests may experience Paintings, Sculptures and Experimental Architecture.
In his paintings Jakobsen expresses the colours hidden within the shadows, and portrays the emotions embedded within a space. In his Sculptures he experiments with materials whilst addressing issues in society and our environment. In his architecture the creation of public space and improvement and well-being of our surroundings is fundamental.
In Malta 2021 Jakobsen completed the ‘Olive Twist’ Landmark Sculpture awarded and funded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Projects and the Public Works Department for ‘Art in Public spaces’. Reminiscent of the traditional Maltese silver filigree jewelry, the 4m tall Stainless Steel Sculpture is inspired by the organic growth and twisting movement of the ancient Olive trees deeply rooted in the culture of Żejtun.
Awarded Malta Arts Funds for the travelling ‘Popcorn’ public artwork in 2013 he experimented with concrete casting technique using flexible formwork creating ‘expanding’ volumes as sensory experiences and as an expression of fertility. His Public Sculptures also include the Malta-Australia Child Memorial, a seven meter paper boat ‘Hope’ inaugurated in 2007 at the Valletta Waterfront. His ‘Embryonic Horse’ is a Bronze cast limited series addressing animal welfare and infancy.
In parallel with the explorations within his 2016 Valletta ‘Backstreets’ paintings, Jakobsen developed Timber sculptures combining the concept of negative space used in casting with his architectural background of urban space where space, mass, light and movement are expressed in a 3D volume.
Jakobsen studied at the Istituto Statale d’arte di Orvieto & Monopoli in Italy between 1993-94 followed by a masters in Architecture in Denmark between 1994 and 2000. In Finland he published “Vaasa 1917-1997 Vasa” a watercolour chronology depicting architecture in Finland. Recent solo exhibitions in Malta include ‘Two Cities’ at Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, ‘Valletta Scapes’ & ‘Backstreets’ at Casa Ellul in Valletta. Exhibits also include experimental concrete sculpture exhibition at Malta Design Week. His portraits are published in The National Portrait Gallery of Malta by Nicolas De Piro and published illustrations in DC2015 for the Planning Authority in Malta. His paintings and sculptures have found home in Japan, Italy, England, Denmark, Finland, United States, Holland, Spain, France, Germany, Riga, Australia, Malta & Iceland.
Between 2002 and 2013 he was entrusted through a local architect company to lead the design and implement on site the Valletta Waterfront and the Dock nr. 1 Regeneration Project in Cospicua. His landscaping and urban design was instrumental in transforming and breathing life into the towns creating new piazzas and tranquil green pedestrian spaces. Whilst resolving and detailing some 1.6km of Vittoriosa and Bormla infrastructure the Historical Dockyard also gave inspiration in developing designs of water features, the yellow industrial Ro-ro Canopy and the gentle crane-like bridge. Together these elements interlinked the Three Cities and made this part of Malta an example of green sustainable development in the Mediterranean climate.
Following the 2013 Dock nr. 1 Waterfront project Jakobsen has restored his townhouse in Cospicua, developing it into an Art-house within the Bormla community.
Living in Valletta with his daughter, Jakobsen finds inspiration in the connection between cities and the surrounding harbours. From the regular ferry commute, the reflections of the golden limestone cities and the ever-changing Mediteranean skies find their way on to Jakobsen’s canvases.
