First Sun is a majestic painted aluminum sculpture of a hybrid human-scarab figure that reimagines the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri—the god of the rising sun—as a modern monument. The figure’s face is a dazzling iridescent scarab beetle, rendered in shimmering crystal-based pigments that shift in colour depending on the light and time of day. The scarab, whose appearance at dawn was associated with the daily rebirth of the sun, is the protagonist, inviting viewers to reconsider humanity’s reverence for nature and the creatures we often ignore, fear, or exterminate. At a towering 17 feet tall atop its base and resplendent in purple and green hues, the sculpture reflects Monira Al Qadiri’s interest in how humanity explores the unknown through science, religion, mythology, and art.

"I hope that this work will prompt people to reflect on how we value nature and embrace the unknown," said Al Qadiri. "The scarab was once revered for its mysterious origins. Today, insects are feared or ignored, despite being vital to our survival. First Sun encourages us to recognize the divine in what we might otherwise overlook."

Al Qadiri was inspired by a painting inside the Tomb of Ramses I in Luxor, Egypt, which depicted a figure with a scarab beetle face. This stunning image led the artist to explore the blending of human and insect forms as a symbol of the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world.

The title First Sun evokes the sun's dual representation across cultures—sometimes male, sometimes female, reflecting on the intersection of gender and power, and often tied to nature’s unpredictable force. With long, flowing hair, Al Qadiri’s sculpture is androgynous, its hybrid form transcending traditional categories of gender and species. Thus, the work integrates recurring themes in Al Qadiri’s practice, including imagining a post-oil future, gender fluidity, ecological interdependence, and mysticism.

First Sun was co-commissioned by Public Art Fund and Lassonde Art Trail and is currently on show at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, New York City, Sept 3, 2025 – Aug 3, 2026 and will be exhibited at the Lassonde Art Trail starting in September 2026.