Susan Hefuna's 'Cairotraces' Solo Exhibition at Pi Artworks London Features Grid-Based Sculptures and Drawings

Susan Hefuna's solo exhibition 'Cairotraces' at Pi Artworks London in 2015 showcases her exploration of grid structures across various media. The German-Egyptian artist presents two tall rectangular sculptures made from palm wood strips tied with string, evoking cages or tower block frameworks without doors. Accompanying these are five unique black bronze pieces titled 'Building', featuring jagged, irregular lattices that suggest distortion. Two series of drawings, including nine framed works titled 'Cairotrace' with loose geometric shapes and crosshatched watercolor, and another nine layered on tracing paper with ink and graphite, highlight themes of protection and prevention. Hefuna's work often references the mashrabiya screen from Egyptian architecture and her dual heritage, yet avoids pure minimalism or social commentary through wobbly, irregular lines that emphasize human vulnerability. This marks her first solo show at Pi Artworks' London gallery, following two previous exhibitions at their Istanbul space. The exhibition functions as a showcase of her signature style, blending sculpture, drawing, and architectural allusions. The article was originally published in the January & February 2015 issue of ArtReview.