ANGEL’S LAMENT
Dear
Heavenly Father,
Is this damnation?
As I fall, plummeting like acid rain and a fractured star, burning
So pitiful as I lie here mutilated, the flesh ripped from my frame
Wings stripped by my kin.
And you.
Oh Father
Is this the great redemption you’ve conjured with your divine justice? Your infinite goodness?
Is this fear what you wanted?
Why must I fear when all I want is love and approval?
For them, you give endless chances to pick you over their own vices
When it comes to your imperfectly perfect children, made in your image
You never cease to love them. What about me?
Heaven is no longer accessible
I can’t reach you.
Is this the God I’ve been praying to?
Where is the justice in arguing for God when Heaven casts a pitying eye on the sufferings of its fallen children before closing its doors? He who is fickle in his love and harsh in his punishments? Can the faith of an angel be destroyed in the wake of God’s reproach?
My thesis initially started with the question: “Who have you been praying to all this time?” My exploration started from an intellectual place. I was reluctant to think about this question in a reflective way. On the surface, my work explores allegory and antithesis from religious narratives through themes of death, punishment, doubt, and lamentation. Using a diaristic research process, these themes coalesce to build upon past works to create new mythologies in a world where an angel falls. But as I continue interacting with this grieving angel who questions their relationship with their God, I have begun contemplating my own relationship with my God. Now, when I think about the original question, I find myself asking new ones. My work has become a conduit for me to confront these questions. My pieces deconstruct the dichotomy between love and rejection. As faith wavers, the angel laments, and thus, I lament. Rather than seeking answers, my work transforms these questions through the marriage of material manipulation, installation, painting, and poetry to embody this lamentation.
Poem
Angel’s Lament
Dear Heavenly Father
Angel’s Lament ~ Why Are You You Cast Down, O My Soul?, May 2024
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Body/for the Blasphemous, May 2024
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Altar, May 2024
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Altar, May 2024
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Book of Revelations, May 2024
Bible, fabric, lace thread, cross, acrylic, ink, flowers, bones, potpourri
Bible, fabric, lace thread, cross, acrylic, ink, flowers, bones, potpourri
Angel’s Lament ~ for the Blasphemous, May 2024
Bible pages, wooden cross, nails
Bible pages, wooden cross, nails
Angel’s Lament ~ for the Blasphemous, May 2024
Bible pages, wooden cross, nails
Bible pages, wooden cross, nails
Angel’s Lament ~ Why Have You Been Cast Down, O My Soul?, May 2024
Frames, fabric, pillow, feathers, ink, feather boa
Frames, fabric, pillow, feathers, ink, feather boa
Fabric, mannequin torso, leggings, stuffing, mask,
flowers, feathers, candles, granite slab, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Fall, May 2024
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Fall, May 2024
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Fall, May 2024
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Fall, May 2024
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Mirror, candles, oil, feathers, soil, flowers, tree branches, fabric, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Confession, May 2024
47 x 23 in.
Candle sconce, feathers, latex, cotton balls, acrylic, oil, embroidery thread, candle on wood
47 x 23 in.
Candle sconce, feathers, latex, cotton balls, acrylic, oil, embroidery thread, candle on wood
Angel’s Lament ~ Confession, May 2024
47 x 23 in.
Candle sconce, feathers, latex, cotton balls, acrylic, oil, embroidery thread, candle on wood
47 x 23 in.
Candle sconce, feathers, latex, cotton balls, acrylic, oil, embroidery thread, candle on wood
Angel’s Lament ~ Lamentations/God’s Everlasting... , May 2024
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Lamentations (last testament), May 2024
Picture frames, oil, plaster, cotton balls, coffee grounds,
feathers, etc.
Picture frames, oil, plaster, cotton balls, coffee grounds,
feathers, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Lamentations (page), May 2024
Picture frames, bible page
Picture frames, bible page
Angel’s Lament ~ Lamentations (worth), May 2024
Picture frames, beads, fishing string, feathers, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Picture frames, beads, fishing string, feathers, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Lamentations (last testament), May 2024
Picture frames, oil, plaster, cotton balls, candle, coffee grounds,
feathers, etc.
Picture frames, oil, plaster, cotton balls, candle, coffee grounds,
feathers, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Burial, May 2024
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
Angel’s Lament ~ Burial, May 2024
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
Angel’s Lament ~ Burial, May 2024
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
3 x 2 x 4 ft.
Skeleton torso, flowers, pearls, wreath, fabric, coffin,
soil, acrylic, ink, feathers, candles
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Crucifix (crown), 2023 - May 2024
Fabric, wire, tape, acrylic, ink
Fabric, wire, tape, acrylic, ink
Angel’s Lament ~ Crucifix, 2023 - May 2024
Steel, feathers, flowers, embroidery thread, cotton balls,
wire, acrylic, ink, nails, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Steel, feathers, flowers, embroidery thread, cotton balls,
wire, acrylic, ink, nails, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Crucifix, 2023 - May 2024
Steel, feathers, flowers, embroidery thread, cotton balls,
wire, acrylic, ink, nails, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.co
Steel, feathers, flowers, embroidery thread, cotton balls,
wire, acrylic, ink, nails, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.co
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Eden, completed May 2024
29 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, gold leaf on wood
29 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, gold leaf on wood
Angel’s Lament ~ Storm, May 2024
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
Angel’s Lament ~ Storm (detail), May 2024
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
Angel’s Lament ~ Storm (detail), May 2024
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
47 x 23 in.
Acrylic, oil, feather on wood
Cardboard, yarn, modeling clay, beads, pearls, gem, lace thread, ornament, gold sticker, acrylic, ink
24 x 18.5 x 24 in.
Gesso, acrylic, ink on wood
47 x 23 in.
Gesso, acrylic paint, ink, lace paper, cotton balls, clear medium (gloss), tissue, ground coffee on wood
23 13/16 in. (diameter)
Gesso, acrylic paint, ink, feathers, lace paper,
cotton balls, tissue, ground coffee, etc. on wood
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Angel’s Lament ~ Dear Heavenly Father (feather), May 2024
10 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
10 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Dear Heavenly Father, May 2024
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Angel’s Lament ~ Dear Heavenly Father, May 2024
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Found objects, picture frames, lace, potpourri, candles, latex, feathers, acrylic, oil, ink, bones, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Pillow case, potpourri, tree branch, feather, ink, bone, etc.
Photographer:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
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