Joan of Arc
“I wanted the viewer to be attracted to her, not because her features are attractive, but because of her strength”
Since I was a little girl I loved Joan of Arc, however, I never felt like the statuary I saw captured her spirit in the way I imagined. So I made my own version of her where I wanted the viewer to be attracted to her, not because her features are attractive, but because of her strength. As an 18 year old girl Joan lead French armies to victory over the English at Orleans. Only to be captured a year later by English and French conspirators. She was sentenced to death on charges of heresy and dressing like a man. Joan was burned at the stake at age 19. Over 10,000 people were present at her execution. Sources say her entire body burned but her heart was left untouched by flames.
When creating this bust not only did Joan’s spirit inspire me, but the endless women through history who have taken a stand and fought for what they believe in. Other inspirations for the spirit of this piece came from Lyudmila Pavlichinko, also know as “Lady Death” The most effective female sniper in history who risked her life to stop the Nazi threat during World War II. Along with Harriet Tubman a fearless leader who lead 13 missions to guide over 70 slaves to freedom. These three women, among many others whose names and stories have been lost to history, are the women whose strength and sacrifice inspired me to attempt to capture the unyielding spirit.
