CRUCIFIED WOMAN
Title: Crucified Woman
Artist: Almuth Lutkenhaus-Lackey
Date: 1976
Latitude: 43.666700
Longitude: -79.392509
VISUAL ANALYSIS:
The crucified woman statue is unlike any other statue on campus. It doesn’t represent a single figure, but a common feeling many women felt at the time the statue was made. The woman is portrayed in the nude demonstrating the vulnerability of women and the nakedness and powerless representation of themselves in a religious context. Although there is no cross, the woman’s body position clearly outlines a cross. The way her head is cocked to one side portrays the lifelessness and the feeling repent echoing Christ's death to pay for the sins of others. In contrast, we can see that her hands are in movement, with one wilted, the other still in line with her arm. This shows that the woman still has some strength and resilience even in her last moments of life. Her body is very thin and frail, demonstrating the suffering and pain caused by the crucifixion.
In light of contemporary issues such as the victimization of women in sexual assaults, this statue serves as an interesting representation of the transference of sin. The most iconic historical crucifixion of Christ took on the sins of the world, giving an opportunity of hope to future generations. Crucifixion was widely regarded as the worst punishments and methods of death, popularized by the Romans. It was designed to shock, as there is a long and gruesome time of suffering before death. It is interesting her eyes are slightly open as she appears to look onwards, perhaps signifying the last few breaths of life before she dies and takes away the sin. This paves the way for a future of light and forgiveness as women everyone strive for equality and respect. The statute carries no distinguishing features apart from her gender, leaving the identity ambiguous thus representing all womanhood.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION:
The "Crucified Woman” was sculpted by artist Almuth Lutkenhaus-Lackey in 1976, and has been at the University of Toronto’s Emmanuel College since 1986. It was originally only suppose to be a temporary loan during Lent, Holy Week and Easter in 1979. The sculpture was returned to the artist at the end of April and four years later she offered it as a gift to Emmanuel College. There was much debate at the time about if the University should accept this sculpture due to its controversial nature. The artist originally intended for it to be seen as “an expression of women’s suffering”; however, this piece of art has faced criticism by some who have interpreted it as heretical or overly sexualized, since the character is portrayed nude. Over time this sculpture has become a feminist icon, or an image of remembrance of instances of violence against women, including the Montréal École Polytechnique Massacre of 1989. In 2010, there was a multi-faith celebration on U of T’s St. George campus, commemorating this iconic sculpture.
