Not Mary — Mary Magdalene

“They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

Rooted in this scripture, this third piece in the Warfare series reflects the journey of a woman whose past is being transformed into testimony, a story not as spotless as Mary’s but redeemed like that of Mary Magdalene, and equally favoured by her Father in heaven.

Two versions of the self stand beside each other: one in a black headwrap representing the past, and the other in a red headwrap symbolising the future and the cleansing blood of the Lamb. Both figures are enveloped in red, the blood of the Lamb, with the figure in red beginning to fade into it, aligning herself with the living Word that brings forth new life.

With their right hands raised, they form the ancient Greek benediction sign, once a sign of authority, later recognised by early believers as IC XC, the abbreviation for Jesus Christ, the One who speaks the living Word.

This artwork captures the moment where the old begins to pass away and the new emerges. The figure in red looks toward her past not in shame, but with grace and anticipation, ready for the unfolding of a life rewritten by Grace.