Cardinal Sins reflects on the trust placed in religion and the bodies that represent them. It is not meant as a sweeping criticism on religion, more so a window into a looming problem that the church must address in order for it to survive.
Allegations and convictions of sexual misconduct within various religious institutions over many, many decades have challenged the status quo that has been allowed to fester. While the problems seem to be historically endemic, collusion and protectionism have curtailed justice for the victims wreaking long term havoc on their lives. While stilted steps are being made to address the issues at hand congregations dwindle. People are no longer willing to turn a blind eye and expect action and transparency.
As the pace of justice grinds ever so slowly to an unforeseeable end people lose faith in their spiritual leaders and the institutions representing them, pushing organised religion further away and towards the precipice.
Courtesy of Nanda\Hobbs
Arches watercolour paper, paper, glue, stone
66 x 61 x 32 cm
Finalist
Stuart McLachlan, in conversation with Sebastian Goldspink, discusses his work Cardinal Sins. Recorded on 7 November 2021 at the 20th Anniversary Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize exhibition, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.
Judges of the 20th Anniversary Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: Dr Lara Strongman (Director Curatorial and Digital, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia), Joanna Capon OAM (Art Historian, Curator and Industrial Archaeologist) and Jenny Kee AO (Artist and Fashion Designer).
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