Reflecting on Do Ho Suh’s “Walk the House” Through a Sustainable Lens

What Does Light Living Really Mean?

During a recent buying trip to London amongst the many exhibitions visited, I had the opportunity to view The Genesis Exhibition: Do Ho Suh: Walk the House at Tate Modern.  It was nothing like anything I’ve ever seen before and I found myself quietly moved by the soft, floating rooms recreated in coloured, translucent fabric. Each one is a memory of homes Suh has lived in across the world stitched together with haunting precision. It’s a deeply emotional journey through space, belonging, and personal history. 

But as someone who thinks a lot about sustainability, personally and professionally, it also left me asking: what does this kind of "lightness" mean in a world grappling with heavy footprints?

The Positive: A Gentle Blueprint for Conscious Making

Suh’s work is incredibly low-impact in appearance. It uses fabric instead of bricks. Thread instead of screws. The materials are light, reusable, and transportable making it possible to pack up entire rooms and reassemble them without demolition or waste.

There’s no sense of overproduction. Every detail feels and is handcrafted, measured and deliberate. There’s also a quiet respect for memory and meaning, a contrast to the fast, forgettable churn of modern consumer culture.

In many ways, Suh’s work aligns beautifully with values we champion at Ohh! By Gum: doing more with less, preserving the stories of what already exists, and creating beauty that doesn’t cost the Earth.

The Complicated: Scale, Materials, and Energy

That said, sustainability is never just about appearances.

The fabrics used, light polyester organza are synthetic and petroleum-based, which raises questions around long-term biodegradability and microplastic shedding. And while the installations are portable, transporting a full-scale artwork internationally has a carbon footprint of its own.

It’s also worth noting that sustainability in art often sits in tension with scale and spectacle. The immersive power of Suh’s work comes, in part, from its size but large scale exhibitions also require considerable resources: space, lighting, climate control, and travel.

Does that mean the work is not sustainable? Not necessarily. But it does mean we need to look beyond the aesthetic and ask deeper questions, just as we do with clothing, retail, or design.

How This Inspires Change

So, what can we take from Suh’s work?

For me, it’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about materials, it’s about mindset. Suh’s work invites us to consider:

• How we honour what already exists - Can we design with more respect for memory and place?
• How lightly we live and move – Are we building lives and businesses that are nimble, flexible, and gentle on the planet?
• How we value craftsmanship – Are we creating with care rather than speed?

At Ohh! By Gum, these are questions we return to again and again. Whether we’re curating brands of clothing for our customers or reimagining the future of Re-Wear, we’re asking: how can we do this more thoughtfully?

In the End: Imperfect, But Moving Forward

Suh’s work doesn’t offer a perfect model for sustainable practice and doesn't claim to. But perhaps that’s the point. Sustainability isn’t a destination, it’s a process of reflection, curiosity, and intention.

Walk the House is a beautiful, fragile reminder of what really matters. Not permanence. Not perfection. But care. Memory. And the possibility of living and creating with less harm and more heart.