sculpture;
window-ventilator
- Museum number
- 2008,2020.1
- Title
- Object: Knowledge is Sweeter than Honey
- Description
-
Sculpture, window-screen (mashrabiya), made of wood stained with black ink. Screen has outer frame and is divided internally into five 'windows'. Composed of numerous lathe-turned elements glued together to form geometric patterns. Further smaller elements are set within the three largest windows to form words in Arabic script.
- Production date
- 2007
- Dimensions
-
Height: 200 centimetres
-
Width: 210 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- This artwork takes its inspiration from the form of the 'mashrabiya' screen - a carved wooden screen used to enclose a projecting oriel window. The mashrabiya was an established element of traditional Arabic architecture for centuries and was located often, though not exclusively, on the public face of buildings and private residences. The mashrabiya allowed in air and light and enabled the occupants to look outside without being seen.
Hefuna has employed the mashrabiya form in many of her artworks (cf. 2008,2020.2; 2008,6008.1-4). Audiences familiar with the form may construct different interpretations and have different reactions to viewers who are unfamiliar with the mashrabiya. Some of the screens have windows cut through them allowing outsiders a clear view inside thus subverting the notion of concealment and privacy.
Susan Hefuna was born of Egyptian-German parents and describes herself as feeling like a 'foreigner' in both countries. Her work is profoundly influenced by this dual heritage and the internal tensions it creates. Her artworks frequently explore the indeterminacy of place and identity.
- Location
- On display (G25/od)
- Condition
- Good.
- Acquisition date
- 2008
- Acquisition notes
- Originally entered Museum as a short term loan for initial period of 6 months from 1 January - 1 July 2008 prior to confirmation of funding for purchase of the artworks.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- 2008,2020.1
