Foot with Wings （1974），Photograph，165 × 125 cm，Courtesy of Solares Foundazione delle arti, Parma-Italy；

King of Jerusalem （1973），Photograph，165 × 125 cm，Courtesy of Solares Foundazione delle arti, Parma-Italy；

Delarosa（1973），Photograph，165 × 125 cm，Courtesy of Solares Foundazione delle arti, Parma-Italy

Israeli artist Motti Mizrachi examines control of the strong over the weak through sculpture, video, photography, public art and performance, often focusing on images of Israel and its religious contaminations. Mizrachi’s use of humour and self- irony stems from a lifelong struggle over the loss of his legs due to childhood polio, oftentimes emphasising the body’s flaws and perfection.

Displayed alongside King of Jerusalem  and Delarosa, Foot with Wings  is set against Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and Jerusalem, the mythical city of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The artist represents himself as the Greek God, Hermes, represented by a foot with wings attached. Paralleling traditional iconography, he metaphorically overcomes his disability, enabling him to ‘fly’ and overlook the world like a bird.

Amalgamating multicultural contexts and religious symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice (Golgotha), the Islamic Mosque and Jewish Temple, this work provokes thoughts about land and tensions between sacrifice and resurrection.