The Bones of St. Adelheide
2014
Mixed Media
22"w x 24"h x 6"d
This was created in response to the amazing, excellent book "Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs" by Paul Koudounaris. This book explores the Catholic Church's practice, during the Renaissance, of decorating the bones of supposed Saints with elaborate costumes and jewels.
I was previously unaware of these "Catacomb Saints", but immediately knew this was right up my alley. I wondered if it would even be possible to construct a facsimile of a human skeleton out of noodles. It turned out it WAS possible, and after it was made, encrusting it with jewels was pure fun.
Since these Saints were all sent by the Vatican to Germany, I included a Bible passage in German. Here is the English translation...
Revelations 19: 7 - 8
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his bride hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
Revelations 19: 7 - 8
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his bride hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
Materials include wood, gilded pasta, fabric, antique French lace, rhinestones, paper & glass beads.
