Diana Al-Hadid

Diana Al-Hadid blends cultural influences in her art, merging her Syrian heritage with Western artistic traditions to explore themes such as identity, mythology, femininity, and historical perception. Renowned for her ethereal figures created from steel, plaster, polymer, and fibreglass, Al-Hadid's latest monumental work continues this cultural expression. ‘The Ziggurat Splits the Sky’ is now permanently installed at the new Princeton University Museum.  

Standing at nearly 15 feet tall, 40 feet wide, and 15 feet long, this 4,200-pound structure draws inspiration from ancient Sumerian ziggurats, stepped architectural forms from Mesopotamia featuring rectangular bases that lead to temple platforms. 

Al-Hadid's contemporary artwork draws heavily from this ancient architecture, rising to a narrow peak with a small platform at the summit, creating a connection between ancient architectural traditions and modern sculptural expression.

Our Rock Tavern team played a vital role in bringing this ambitious project to life by digitising Al-Hadid's original drawings and coordinating with structural engineers to ensure compliance with codes. Throughout fabrication, Al-Hadid spent several days a week at our Rock Tavern foundry over many months, working directly alongside our team. The process involved developing detailed 3D models for the aluminium plate sculptures, while also providing essential advice on materials, production methods, and structural connections.