Lucy Orta

Bayt Al Sha’ar – House of Hair 

‘Bayt Al Sha’ar – House of Hair’ by Lucy Orta consists of nine Jacquard-woven wall hangings that together form a full-scale Bedouin tent measuring 5 by 3.5 metres. The designs combine photography with hand-drawn illustrations; to emphasise the contrast in materiality, the photographs are woven in soft, matte merino wool yarns, while the illustrations are woven in glossy recycled PET yarns. As a result, each of the nine hangings is unique, yet they follow the same compositional structure. 

The work forms a visual timeline exploring the impact of climate change, from survival to regeneration, with Gaia, the Earth goddess, marking both the beginning and the end. Through mythical figures and desert species, it highlights ecological fragility and resilience. 

The work was exhibited at the British Textile Biennial in East Lancashire, United Kingdom, from 2 October to 2 November 2025. 

Photography by Jonty Wilde for the British Textile Biennial