Sin Eater

From FLIGHT Gallery:

“This exhibition, exploring the enduring concept of the sin eater, a ritual practice where individuals metaphorically consumed the sins of the deceased as means for spiritual purification, is the latest iteration of “The Superman Project,” a body of work begun as a response to the 2016 Presidential Election of Donald J. Trump. From 17th-century European ritual death meals to the dirt eating of the mythological Aztec goddess Tlazōlteōtl, Jesus Christ’s crucifixion for humanity’s sins, and even the confession of sins to priests, these anecdotal practices symbolize sin “consumption” and a desire for absolution that persists even into pop culture. Superman embodies a kind of sin eater: shouldering human failings through his superhuman powers, to inspire hope and betterment. Similarly, political figures and movements have sought to define themselves as cultural saviors with answers to the problems of a desperate and mortal populace. By examining this practice of absolution through a lens of modern political rhetoric and cultural touchstones like Superman and Trumpism, “Sin Eater” challenges viewers to consider the implications of our desire for heroes or savior figures and its potential for moral complacency. It continues the work of “The Superman Project” to encourage a deeper reflection on heroism, mythology, and our negotiations regarding power.”