For this project, I have taken inspiration from the myth of Pope Joan and created a sculpture of a female pope. Pope Joan was a woman who disguised herself as a man and successfully rose through the ranks to become the head of the Catholic Church eventually. The validity of this myth has been debated for centuries, but the story, I feel, can be seen as an early rebellious statement against the obvious inequality between genders.
I decided to use software primarily used in video game development, as this was the simplest way to sculpt my work digitally. After creating the 3D model, I chose 3D printing for the physical realization of my sculpture. I felt it was a perfect method for producing a large, intricate artwork relatively cheaply, quickly, and sustainably. While 3D printing is widely accepted in the design world, it is not yet fully recognized for its potential in fine art. I hope my artwork, The Improbable Papacy, demonstrates how versatile this production method can be.
In the design, I have chosen to blend a mix of imagery to create an aesthetic layered with symbolic meaning. I wanted to engage with and play off Christian iconography as a way to gently critique it, particularly its tendency to reinforce patriarchal values. For example, the use of the papal throne as her chair, or the bronze-like finish—an expensive and labour-intensive material historically used for sculptures of importance and privilege—are elements meant to question these values.
I also sought to include symbols of positive feminist affirmation. The tentacles prominently on display reflect the contradiction between octopus gender roles and human gender roles. In many species of octopus, the male is the physically weaker sex and, in some cases, not even necessary for procreation. However, during mating, males often die due to the physical damage inflicted by the female, up to and including the removal of the male’s reproductive organs.
The female pope wears a traditional nun’s outfit, referencing the male pope wearing similar attire as he rises through the ranks of the Church, but with additional elements. I also chose to incorporate Dr. Martens boots, reflecting their powerful representation of punk and rebellion.
Finally, when your eyes lock onto the face of the sculpture, you are confronted with a bored expression. She has ultimate power, yet she is bored. Through this contradiction, I aim to depict what I believe many people feel about the progression of gender equality: a sad sense of boredom and tepid disappointment. How is it that certain groups still refuse to accept the necessary changes for true gender equality, which is long overdue?
