Behold the Righteous Priest

Men’s dress shoes, raffia, leather cord.

The Righteous Priest masks touch upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ exclusion of men of color from their priesthood until 1978. The dress shoes refer to the westernization of ancient religious authority, the violence and exclusion executed against men and women who have stood for justice and equality, and been denied, through institutional and communal marginalization and often also excommunication. Paired with the works on women and the LDS priesthood, these represent the struggle not only of men of color, but of anyone who didn’t fit a preconceived mold – such as my husband, who was repeatedly reprimanded for the offense of wearing a beard while active in the church.