Photo (c) Lea Fabienne. 2025

Beard Reliquary

Beard Reliquary is an ode to the legendary Saint Wilgefortis, known for growing a beard to avoid marrying a much older king. While this act of defiance led to her crucifixion, she is now celebrated as an iconic queer saint for her refusal to conform to gender binaries. The reliquary, used to house alleged bodily remains of saints, is here made of stained glass, encasing a video of whispering lips: murmuring, praying, or gossiping, encouraging an intimate relationship with those who wish to hear. Hair is freed from its interpretation as abject when separated from the body and is instead elevated to the status of religious relic. A medieval saint, her corset intertwines with a harness, both symbols of restriction and rebellion.

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Beard Reliquary