Figures for the Base of a Crucifixion

Image taken from an article regarding the work by one of the artist studio companies at 696 Weihai Lu. This image is from the series "Figures for the Base of a Crucifixion" references depictions of Mary Magdalene, who throughout the art has alternatively been portrayed either kneeling to anoint Jesus's feet or as a half-naked whore. Susanne Junker (artist and gallery owner) taps into this angel/whore dichotomy (so often thrust upon womankind) in one self-portrait where she kneels with her eyes raised up seductively. While the gaze and pose suggest something salacious, the rest of her body is covered in labels such as "pills?" pasted on her neck, "sucking?" covering the gap of her mouth and "plastic surgery?" on her breast. These labels dismantle the individual into discrete parts to suggest that she is victim of social pressures and stigmas.

Article by Melanie McGanney