NEW_MARTYRS | NEW_MARTYRS

2024

It is not a photographic work, nor is it collage.
It is certainly not painting. It is not even a conversion, much less blasphemy.
I have always been fascinated by the classical iconography represented in religious prayer cards.
I recognize that need for synthesis in composition to convey a story, a figure, a concept, or a fact in a single image.
Saint Gerard Majella the Redeemer, who, from a very young age, took a vow of poverty, led a life of penance.
Among the various supposed miracles attributed to him, there is one that particularly struck me: called upon by a screaming crowd, he saw some sailors making futile efforts to return to port in a stormy sea.
Gerard, upon reaching the place, made the sign of the cross, began to walk on water, and with “two fingers” dragged the boat to shore.
The first thing I thought, holding his prayer card in my hands, is that today there are no more men capable of performing such feats.
We no longer hear the echo of saints’ deeds.
It seems to me, however, that the number of new martyrs is constantly growing.
Martyrs not in the canonical sense (those who sacrifice themselves voluntarily, fully aware of the suffering or danger they are facing, for a religious reason, a noble ideal, or a generous cause), but involuntary, unconscious martyrs. An army of innocent victims.
Secular martyrs, overwhelmed by every form of oppression in this cosmic blender that our planet—now smaller than ever—has become.
It is impossible to be exhaustive or attempt a complete list,
I think of the abuse and violence inflicted on children.
I think of the plight of migrants, of those who are already experiencing the effects of climate change…Wars.
These are the new martyrs I want to represent because today what you cannot see does not exist.