Drawing

Artist Susan Hefuna is half Egyptian, half German and has spent her life divided almost equally between the two countries. These drawings are inspired by the mashrabiyas or wooden fretwork screens placed in the windows of Arab houses. They allow the person inside the house, usually a woman, to look out, while those outside are unable to see in.

The notion of gendered space, which has been emphasised by the artist, is examined by presenting the drawings over two layers: the one below is blurred and appears 'veiled', but at the same time, in terms of space and form, closely connected to the drawing clearly visible on the layer above. The screened window is also used to place ceramic storage pots to cool the contents and the design of some of these mashrabiya drawings (of which there are several) reflects this use of the space.