This piece is dedicated to Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431), who was burned at the stake by her English captors for heresy. Saint Joan experienced visions of saints, which she described to her judges: “I saw them with these very eyes, as well as I see you.” She led the French army to victory at the Siege of Orleans, and is venerated for her faith and bravery. In this sculpture, a traditional-style icon of Saint Joan rests inside of a ribcage, which has turned gold through the heat of the flames that burned beneath her. Gold appears throughout Scripture as a symbol of divine purity, while fire often represents the process of purification. Saint Joan exemplifies the beauty of redemptive female suffering, which speaks to me as someone who suffers from chronic pain.