RITUALS AND RELIQUARIES: Francesca Hummler

September 30 – October 6
Open Daily from 11 am – 6 pm

Private View for UC Alumni: 3 October, 6 – 9 pm
Private View Tickets here

Public Opening: 4 October, 6 – 9 pm

“Rituals and Reliquaries” is a solo show by London-based photographic artist and researcher Francesca Hummler, MA in Photography. Hosted in the evocative setting of the Crypt Gallery, the work engages with a crisis of faith initiated by the artist’s entry into adulthood. Raised in the oppressive purity culture of conservative Protestantism in the United States, the work reflects on how the church limited the artist’s expression of gender identity and sexuality.

Through therapeutic photography, “Rituals” charts the artist’s journey towards self-definition, reconciling faith, sexuality, and identity. Despite moments of near abandonment of faith, the artist has forged a personal relationship with God. Self-portraiture, a ritual in itself, played a transformative role, guiding the artist from despair to rediscovered faith.
Visit to discover biblical parables reimagined through photo montage and theatrical staging, infused with the whimsical overtones of childhood play. The artist blends dark humour with vivid colours, to challenge established symbols and rituals. You are invited to explore the dualities within religious beliefs and reconsider an alternative perspective on faith.

Curated by Christiane Monarchi, this project is supported by the University of California Trust.

Special thanks to Antoine d’Agata, Amin Yousefi, Abraham Adams, Sarah Grice, and Violet Del Toro.