Eyes of Saint Lucia Articulating Candle Stand

An original design, these articulating candle stands come in aluminum and raw brass that arrive flat and must be bent into shape. Each measures 9" across and 4.5" tall.

These articulating candle stands have been in the works for about a year now, and I'm really excited to finally shared them. They are inspired by the eyes of St. Lucia. I was raised Catholic, and though this came with quite a few drawbacks, it did instill in me a love for religious and mythological iconography. This story and image of eyes in particular really stuck with me over the years, and I've always wanted create my own iteration of it in some way. St. Lucia is one of many examples of martyred women in the church. There are many versions of the story, but essentially she devoted herself to God yet was being forced to marry. Her suitor was said to have particularly loved her eyes, and in learning this she gouged them out, serving them to him on a platter. 

There have always been unsettling undertones of glorifying women's purity and control in Catholicism, and this story is a good example. But what really stood out to me is Lucia's taking matters into her own hands. I've been on my own journey of individuation by means of reclaiming and reframing a lot of the things that were presented to me since I was young, specifically in religion. To me, these eyes are a powerful symbol of our duality; of both devotion and defiance. The flame above the eyes or head is a common way artists would depict divinity or holiness, so a candle stand felt like a fitting form. The idea of reshaping and taking matters into one's own hands is mirrored in how it's assembled. The piece arrives in one flat sheet of brass or aluminum that the user has to bend and fold into shape. 

My intention for the object is to serve as a reminder of the divine in each of us and the power we possess. I hope the importance of this really comes through in all my efforts.

**Please be mindful of pinch points and see the video for the best technique. It is recommended that you open the legs first, then push the eye shape out from the pupils so as not to avoid sharp edges. The stand can be bent back into its flat shape but is not intended to be bent back and forth frequently as the metal can eventually break.**