The Virgin Bride

This three-piece ensemble is a commentary on purity culture and the world’s notions of what a “proper” woman should do and be. A marriage to oneself and a commitment to honoring the happiness and fulfillment of that self are represented by the work. Aesthetically, the piece draws inspiration from classical Catholic art, Celtic lace, and nautical knotting. The work of contemporary German sculptor Birgit Deiker was particularly inspirational. Her work uses constiction and bulge to manipulate her materials, a commentary on the human body and what its significance is— ““self as skin” or “self as in skin” as the artist says. The ensemble took over 300 hours to complete and features hand-done crocheting, rope-working, and leather-working.