SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA
A monumental work connecting history to the now
The Nieuwe Kerk (“New Church”) is a monumental building, centrally located in the city of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It carries a tradition through the ages of commissioning artworks to leading Dutch artists. Caroline was asked to develop a proposal for a work to be placed at the outside of the church, on its oldest wall, dating 1385.
The New Church, centrally located in the post-midieval city.
After St Catherine’s beheading, milk was flowing out of her neck instead of blood.
A strong, independent woman
On 25 November 1409, the Nieuwe Kerk was consecrated to the catholic Saint Catherine, or Catherine of Alexandria. In the famous legend, Catherine behaved independently and spread her knowledge, against the rules. Wise men were sent to dissuade her from her own ideas and wanted to subjugate her; she knew more than them and managed to convince them. Ultimately, out of revenge she was imprisoned by a merchant who wanted to marry her, which she repeatedly refused. The merchant beheaded Catherine. Milk flowed from her neck instead of blood.
St Catherine of Alexandria by Caravaggio, c. 1593 (detail)
Malala Yousafzai
A role model for today
Catharina wanted to live an independent life and to practise her own religion. This cost her her life. This makes her a woman who can still serve as a role model today and can be compared to contemporary courageous women such as Pussy Riot, Malala, or Women on Waves, who still have to fight for their independence, for the space to have and to express their own opinions and to shape their lives in freedom. Values that still have to be fought for in this day and age.
Caroline’s St Catharine has her mouth gagged by a cloth. She is being smothered. Does she want to scream? Say something that people don’t want to hear? The image combines serenity with urgency.
Meters long ceramics portray milk flowing along the thusfar unused niches of the Nieuwe Kerk.
Careful planning for the public space
The proposal is accompanied by extensive research regarding reversible mounting, enabling of very large ceramic forms and anti-vandalism.
Applying a large piece on such a central and famous building attracts attention. The concept has been approved by the Nieuwe Kerk, by the owner of the building, the Protestant congregation as well as the municipal department for Monument Care.
The work has not been executed.
