This October, before London’s bustling Frieze Week, British-Lebanese artist Bushra Fakhoury unveils Transmute at Mall Galleries. Known internationally for her monumental public sculptures such as Dunamis and Danse Gwenedour, which reach nine meters in height, Fakhoury now brings her bold sculptural language into the intimacy of the gallery space.
Transmute explores themes of deforestation and nature’s retaliation, using driftwood, plaster, and other materials to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment. Alongside her new works being presented in the North Gallery within Mall Galleries, Bushra’s exhibition will also feature collaborative photographic pieces created with her son, artist Mal Fostock. During the same time 7th-11th October, Mal will also be unveiling his 1st UK solo exhibition INCLUSION in the West Gallery within Mall Galleries.
I spoke with Bushra ahead of the opening to discuss her inspirations, her evolving practice, and the unexpected synergy between mother and son.
This exhibition takes place during Frieze Week, when London’s art world is in full focus. How does that shape the way you are presenting Transmute?
Bushra: Frieze Week is when the art world comes to London, so it is the right moment for me to share these works. I hope people who are here for Frieze will also come to Mall Galleries and experience Transmute. It is a chance to reach art lovers and collectors who might not have seen my work before.
Your son Mal is unveiling his 1st solo exhibition in England for the first time. How do you feel about sharing this moment with him?
Bushra: I am very excited for Mal. He is quite introverted, so it took some encouragement to get him to show his work. But I always felt it was important for people to see what he creates. His photography is very moving.
You are known for monumental public sculptures like Dunamis in Park Lane. How does showing your work in a gallery setting change the experience?
Bushra: My public works are usually large scale, sometimes nine meters tall. In the gallery I cannot recreate that scale, so I include notes for visitors to imagine them at their true size. It is important for people to picture the energy of a piece like Dunamis, even in this smaller context.
You have worked with bronze, plaster, ceramics, and more recently driftwood. How do you choose your materials?
Bushra: I always choose materials based on the idea I want to express. Bronze and plaster have been part of my practice for years, but recently I have used driftwood and plaster together. One piece, Nature Retaliation, came from my frustration at people cutting down trees. The material itself becomes part of the message, wood taken from nature reshaped to show its anger, like the trees are attacking the observer.
Where do your ideas usually begin?
Bushra: I am inspired by so many things, from societal events to carnivals, folklore, and mythology. These stories are rich with symbolism, and they give me a way to speak through sculpture. I do not usually write or express myself politically, sculpture is my voice. Often the ideas come to me in dreams, already in three dimensions, and then I translate them into material form.
Looking forward, how do you see your practice evolving?
Bushra: My work evolves with what is happening in the world. Global issues and societal changes always filter into my practice, and I will continue to respond to them through sculpture. I do not plan too much ahead, I let the work develop naturally, guided by events around me.
Bushra Fakhoury’s Transmute is more than an exhibition. It is a confrontation with ecological crisis, a celebration of material experimentation, and a dialogue between generations of artists. Seen alongside Mal Fostock’s solo exhibition debut in England, the show creates a rare space where mother and son’s creative voices resonate as one.
Transmute runs at Mall Galleries, London, 7th – 11th October 2025.
For more information go to www.bfakhoury.com and www.mallgalleries.org.uk
Word by Ama Samra
