The Desecration of Adam (maquette study) Sculpture

With this work, I challenge the viewer to confront issues of both human rights abuses and persecution. Using a widely accepted example of religious iconography, I have re-interpreted one of the most famous artworks in history; Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam.” The original image depicts the beauty of man brought into existence by his creator. Instead of a white male as the original image depicts, I have chosen to sculpt a black male slave bound and disfigured with injuries. He is covered with multiple symbols representing those who have been persecuted for their faith, their race, their social status or just simply their differences. The symbols, are very subtle and reveal themselves better when brought into the light. The figure is also subject to the loss of his vision representing an inability to see the crimes we commit against each other. The serpent, wrapping itself around the subject’s eyes and torso, represents fear and deceit. Eventually the serpent transforms into a cloth that continues down his body. The cloth represents shame and our efforts to cover it up. From slavery to genocide, from retaliation to persecution, we have come up with countless ways to inflict pain and suffering on our fellow humans. Whether we do this in the name of religion or nation-building or self-preservation, it is still an abuse of the opportunity given to us. This piece is not about civil rights but rather human rights. Civil rights focuses on what we do to each other based on our differences. Human rights is about the things we do to each other in spite of our sameness. Through the use of traditional, non-traditional and even controversial imagery, I am attempting to convey to viewers that while the creation of man is a wonderful thing, the subsequent abuses we inflict on each other are a tragedy.

Sculpture:Resin on Bronze

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:16 W x 12 H x 7 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.