Pahtecatl by Fanie Simon

With its tightly woven, hexagonal structure and intricate geometric repetition, Pahtecatl suggests both natural order and a transformative, euphoric state. The title refers to the Aztec god of medicine, pulque, and peyote, embodying healing and the creative alteration of consciousness.

The light-toned Beech multiplex is deeply carved with a dense, etched grain that creates a fascinating, interlocking pattern, causing the overall composition to visually vibrate. The work engages with ideas of inner interconnectedness and altered states, providing a visual contemplation on the woven structure of reality and transformation, drawing visual inspiration from the botanical form of the peyote cactus.

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.