Monira Al Qadiri’s First Sun is a painted aluminum sculpture depicting a hybrid human-scarab figure, reimagining the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri, god of the rising sun. Created by the Kuwaiti artist (b. 1983, Dakar, Senegal), the iridescent, androgynous monument reflects the intersection of gender, power, and humanity’s disconnect from nature, drawing inspiration from a painting in Pharaoh Ramses I’s tomb. Al Qadiri’s work, informed by her global upbringing and PhD in Intermedia Art from Tokyo, explores ecological and cultural narratives, particularly the impact of “petro-culture” driven by oil consumption. First Sun was designed for urban green spaces like Central Park and Toronto’s Biidaasige Park, aiming to foster reconnection with nature. The sculpture envisions a future where even humble insects like scarabs are revered for their vital role in sustaining life. Curated by Melanie Kress and November Paynter, Al Qadiri’s work blends humor, research, and science fiction, using seductive forms and iridescent colors to juxtapose tradition, innovation, and ecological fragility, prompting reflection on humanity’s relationship with the environment.

Monira Al Qadiri: First Sun at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park, New York. September 8, 2025.