Kinich Ahau by Fanie Simon

With its radiating, star-like symmetry, Kinich Ahau asserts a commanding presence, suggesting both celestial power and intense, dynamic light. The title refers to the supreme Maya sun deity, representing the midday sun, consciousness, and the fierce cosmic energy that sustains all life.

The composition contrasts the pale grain of Ash and Maple woods with cool-toned Acrylic lacquer to create an intricate geometric pattern. The thoughtful placement of materials allows the structure to appear simultaneously inward-folding and outward-bursting. The work suggests resonant themes of energy, life cycles, and divine balance, becoming an incisive examination of the profound and illuminating force of the sun.

Fanie Simon (b. 1986) is a Swiss artist and designer whose practice spans woodworking, furniture design, and visual art. Originally from Basel, she spent several years in Tulum, Mexico, where she developed her interest in designing and building furniture, a path that ultimately led her to the creation of her unique artworks.

Simon describes her pieces as “wood mosaics” or “puzzles,” reflecting her intuitive approach to composition as a form of meditation. She places one piece of wood next to another, often randomly, letting patterns and symmetries emerge organically. In the process of finding balance, she notes a connection to the Rorschach test, revealing her meticulous yet playful engagement with form. Each artwork is a result of weeks of experimentation: starting, reworking, discarding, and reassembling, with the final state often documented photographically before a new iteration begins. Sketches are rare; the work evolves directly through material and intuition.

This artwork was part of THE HOUSE WE CARRY exhibition in November 2025.