Peace, freedom, and the civic responsibility of the artist have long been concerns for di Suvero, who was imprisoned while protesting the Vietnam War. In sculptures like She, the design of which incorporates a hanging wooden bed, di Suvero has worked to transform a viewer's relationship with art, inviting participation and fostering a sense of inclusiveness.

She also proposes new and intimate uses for the world's discarded industrial products: a crane hook and the rusty steel barrel of a steamroller are incorporated into its design.