Public Out Cry (2023) by Diana Al-Hadid is a striking wall relief that draws upon the Persian painting Catafalque of Iskander (circa 1330) as a historical point of reference. Known for her ability to reimagine architectural forms and art historical imagery, Al-Hadid transforms the scene into a layered exploration of materiality, storytelling, and cultural legacy.

Created using polymer gypsum, fiberglass, steel, plaster, gold leaf, and pigment, the work reflects Al-Hadid’s process-driven approach. The dripping, layered surfaces blur the boundaries between structure and disintegration, evoking the fluid passage of time. While rooted in a historical moment—the mourning of Alexander the Great—the piece resists a singular narrative. Instead, it reinterprets the symbolic weight of the image, inviting viewers to consider how power, influence, and memory are constructed and deconstructed over centuries.

Al-Hadid’s interplay of rich textures and gilded accents bridges the tangible and the ethereal. The palette, with its earthy terracottas and luminous blues and golds, suggests the cyclical nature of creation and decay, mirroring her fascination with both the permanence and fragility of human endeavors.