In the Peccata mundi series, Claire Artemyz draws our gaze to the subject of the crucifixion through an aesthetic that reflects a genuine way of observing the world: tight framing bordering on close-up, a play of light and shadow, precise use of light to color the image, and a tension between the figurative and the abstract. Through this photographic signature, our gaze is guided toward what lies at the heart of her message: the wound. The one left by the crown of thorns, the one caused by the nails in the hands and feet, and finally the one inflicted by a spear in the right side. This minimalist approach to the wound is reminiscent of the one employed in the series *Affleure de peau*, where the artist explores the deliberate breach of the skin through the medium of tattooing.
The photographer thus highlights two aspects: on the one hand, the mystery of faith, by offering an enigmatic vision of a subject that nevertheless speaks to our collective consciousness; and on the other hand, our need for the sacred, whether expressed collectively or individually through various practices.
At its core, this is the myth the photographer explores. Does humanity necessarily need to create symbols to explain the meaning of things—or to make them acceptable?
