Pi Artworks hosts Susan Hefuna’s solo exhibition, “Listen to: The Sound of Earth, Sun, Water and Air”, originally showcased at the gallery’s London venue in October 2024.
In this latest exhibition, Hefuna presents her newest series of textile works, a body of art that delves into the fragility of life, nature, and humanity. Through vibrant collages of text and shapes, “Listen to: The Sound of Earth, Sun, Water and Air” evokes a sense of unity and interconnectedness with the planet, reminding viewers of the cyclical nature of time.
Drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of Africa and Japan, the traditional American quilt craft, and storytelling traditions from across the globe, Hefuna has been creating textile-based works since 2001. Her artistic language combines words with structures of dots and lines—motifs also seen in her intricate, multilayered drawings. In standout pieces like the WATER diptych or the LISTEN TO triptych, these motifs take the form of white dots and lines resembling constellations against a dark backdrop of black Egyptian cotton, creating a visual network akin to a stellar map.
Hefuna’s textile works are deeply influenced by her dual Egyptian and German heritage, which she seamlessly weaves into her art. The pieces currently on display are tied to Cairo’s traditional craft of tent-making, inspired by the temporary textile structures used during celebrations. The overlapping structures and appliqued words on cotton highlight her hybrid approach to materials, a characteristic feature of her practice.
