Cristin Millett

A Miscarriage of Justice: Lucy’s Offering
polyurethane plastic, mdf, tape, graphite, silver-plate platter, glass eyes
30 x 18 x 10 in.

“Sacred anatomy” is a term coined by literary historian Jonathan Sawday to describe the pre-16th century practice of dismembering cadavers, particularly nobility and saints, in order to disperse the remains/relics for widespread worship. “A Miscarriage of Justice” references St. Lucy, the patron saint of the blind.

According to legend, St. Lucy vowed to remain a virgin in the tradition of Agatha and was persecuted for her Christian beliefs. Roman officials forced her into prostitution and condemned her to a brothel. After a variety of attempts to kill her, her neck was pierced by a sword and she finally died, but not before her eyes were plucked out. Holding the eyes on a plate symbolizes victory over evil. In the piece, the face is blindfolded, a reference to blind justice.

© Cristin Millett