Susan MacPhail

11 Cause, Effect

This sculpture maps the historical path from organized religion to political upheaval, linking Martin Luther’s defiance with the French Revolution to show how individual acts of resistance spark global cycles of change.

“"This sculpture traces a chain reaction: from the creation of religion to the rise of resistance, and ultimately, to revolution. It begins with humanity’s construction of belief systems like structures that organize society, but also consolidate power. In Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, defiance emerges as a catalyst, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and igniting a shift toward secular thought, that continues to shape Western culture today.That same spirit of resistance resurfaced during the French Revolution, where the oppressed Third Estate rose against systemic inequality. This uprising culminates in the execution of Marie Antoinette, a figure both symbolic and human, caught in the violent unraveling of monarchy.By linking these moments, the work reflects on the cyclical tension between authority and dissent. It reveals how acts of rebellion, whether ideological or political, generate consequences that extend far beyond their origin: reshaping power, society, and history itself."”