Faculty of Art

Drawing and Painting

Chris Canales-Cisneros

05 Bite My tongue

A series of 12 bronze sculptures. The gradient was achieved with a patina made of liver of sulphur and ashes

“The bronze tongues act as a physical embodiment of the expression “bite your tongue,” representing the difficulty of repressing certain aspects of your identity in the face of religious authority for the sake of self-preservation. The twelve tongues represent the 12 years I studied at Catholic institutions. They intend to seek sympathy from the viewer by equating this emotional torment to a physical experience. The final installation will be presented on a votive stand evoking the appearance of an altar when accompanied by my tryptic painting. It interrupts the original purpose of the votive stand by replacing the ephemeral process of a burning candle with an object of permeance intended to serve as an institutional critique. From a Catholic standpoint, bronze carries a multitude of interpretations, many of which are contradictory; it can indicate God’s judgement of sin: “I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.” (Lev 26.19). However, it can also imply purity: “[Jesus’] feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace.” (Rev 1.15). Aware that my work will be open to the interpretation of the public, I desire that it will be viewed as empowering. However, it may be viewed by those who share the very ideologies I am critiquing; the tongues anticipate this reaction and function as a response to it. ”