False Prophets(2022-Present)
Would You believe?
If you were to ask someone to give a list of five prophets/religious leaders it would most likely all be men. This is often the case. HOWEVER there have been many women throughout history, and currently today, that through their charisma and personality have developed followings, been prophets, leaders of cults. And with that power, they have in some way used it for negative and selfish ends. To influence manipulate, deceive, take advantage of, abuse, torture, and in some cases even murder.
So far, I have discovered 60 women that fit my description, of being a false prophet.
But I'm still waiting for the second coming...
(2024-Present)
One of the types of leaders that continue to fascinate me are individuals that claim to be the 2nd coming of Christ (from Christian religion). It is so specific but also by claiming to be this figure you are also declaring that we are in the ‘end times’ and that the end of the world as we know it is coming soon to an end. It gives those individuals a very particular hold on their followers and also allows the followers to be a part of often extreme actions and beliefs because they believe well the end of the world is soon approaching, why not do x, y, and z?
Each work is a portrait based on the man that makes this claim and with it a quote directly spoken by them (or text written), stating their belief that they are the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Object and Evidence
During my Summer Artist Residency at Wassaic Project in 2023 I started to explore the medium of printing. I was inspired to do this because I wanted way to capture primary documents such as film, photography, and in particular the victims of cults.
At that residency I also explored the medium of wood working and ceramics. In these mediums I explored the ideas we have about objects of devotion, the items that are used to show our penance, to prove to a 'god' our sincerity of being better. Some of these objects, such as a paddle, have been used to in act parts of religious texts, (spare the rod spoil the child). Yet these objects instead create trauma, guilt, and emotional scars.
Symbols Of Belief (S.O.B)
Official symbols, designs, emblems, and even a few patches for the religious groups of my 'false prophets'.
adjective, fals·er, fals·est.
not true or correct; erroneous
uttering or declaring what is untrue
not faithful or loyal; treacherous
tending to deceive or mislead; deceptive
based on mistaken, erroneous, or inconsistent impressions, ideas, or facts
used as a substitute or supplement, especially temporarily
Biology. having a superficial resemblance to something that properly bears the name
not properly, accurately, or honestly made, done, or adjusted
inaccurate in pitch, as a musical note.
noun
a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.
(in the Old Testament) a person chosen to speak for God and to guide the people of Israel: 1)Moses was the greatest of Old Testament prophets. 2) (often initial capital letter) one of the Major or Minor Prophets. 3) one of a band of ecstatic visionaries claiming divine inspiration and, according to popular belief, possessing magical powers. 4) a person who practices divination.
one of a class of persons in the early church, next in order after the apostles, recognized as inspired to utter special revelations and predictions. 1 Corinthians 12:28.
the Prophet, Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
a person regarded as, or claiming to be, an inspired teacher or leader.
a person who foretells or predicts what is to come
a spokesperson of some doctrine, cause, or movement.
noun
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience
religions, Archaic. religious rites
Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion:
noun
a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
the object of such devotion.
a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
the members of such a religion or sect.
any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.