Bita Ebnesheykhi

Dust of Hormuz

This work emerges from a deeply personal act: carrying soil from Hormuz Island, Iran, across borders and into the studio. Infused into natural pigments and used to dye fabric by hand, this earth becomes more than material; it becomes memory, ancestry, and resistance. Through fabric, stitching, and pigment, the installation transforms these elements into a tactile space where past and present converge.The soil’s vivid red hues echo the intensity of cultural memory and environmental presence, grounding the piece in the land’s physical and symbolic weight. Each thread and surface carries traces of both process and emotion, offering viewers an experience that is as much felt as seen. The installation does not attempt to resolve the complexities of identity or exile, but instead holds them layered, fragile, and persistent. By engaging with texture, slowness, and material storytelling, the work opens a space where personal history meets collective resonance.

“This installation explores the interplay of materiality, memory, and natural pigments derived from Hormuz Island soil, reflecting on themes of displacement, identity, and the passage of time. By incorporating hand-dyed fabric and intricate stitching, the work aims to create a tactile and immersive experience where the physicality of the materials conveys layered narratives. Using soil-based pigments connects the piece to the land, referencing the artist’s cultural heritage and the natural environment’s role in identity formation. The installation invites the viewer to engage with the textures of memory and place, bridging the personal and the collective.”