Susan MacPhail

10 St Peter's Crucifixion

This sculpture uses plaster casts of feet, a rough wooden fence post, and gilded frames to turn Caravaggio's famous painting into a 3D scene about physical suffering and the power of light.

“"This sculpture reinterprets The Crucifixion of Saint Peter through material and light. Inspired by Caravaggio and his use of tenebrism, I sought to translate the drama of paint into a three dimensional form. Plaster cast feet anchor the work in the body, emphasizing vulnerability and the weight of martyrdom, while a rough 4 x 4 fence post replaces the traditional cross, introducing a contemporary, utilitarian presence.Two gilded baroque style frames are layered into the composition, referencing the historical context of the original painting while also framing absence, which is no longer fully depicted, but implied. A directed light source activates the sculpture, casting deep shadows and sharp highlights that echo Caravaggio’s stark contrasts between illumination and darkness. Blood and innocence are implied by the use of red and white clothing sashes.Rather than replicating the original, this piece distills its emotional and visual intensity. It becomes an exploration of sacrifice, perception, and the enduring power of light to shape meaning across time."”