St Dunstan and the Devil 2016

Joe Machine’s large painting, St Dunstan and the Devil, continues the artist’s exploration of religious and mythical themes. Machine, who was born in 1973, lives and works within a social context marked by rapid change and cultural fragmentation. In the piece, Machine reimagines the medieval tale of Saint Dunstan, a historical figure who, according to legend, confronted the Devil. In Machine's version, the Devil is a grotesque figure, a foil to Dunstan. Dunstan's triumph is not merely a victory of good over evil, it’s a statement about the enduring power of faith and the ability of the individual to confront and overcome inner demons and external challenges. The use of religious symbolism is interwoven with the artist’s personal narrative and the broader cultural context. Machine develops alternative narratives, and prompts us to question the nature of belief and the role of spirituality. We are asked to explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of faith in a secular world.