A canoe shaped ceramic container glazed in red brown is perched on a floating shelf next to a hanging blue and grey tapestry. The canoe shape is repeated in the tapestry that also includes lines of undecipherable script. Symbol and metaphor in this mixed media work offer a narrative of journey and change and the challenging explication of it through words.

Allen Hietala's work has been shown in numerous venues in the US, France and Singapore, and is held in diverse collections. She has taught and lectured in the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Nepal.