The faith of
a pagan woman
The central theme of the work is social inequality: many are left with only crumbs from beneath the table of the upper classes.
In the Gospels of Mark (7:24-30) and Matthew (15:21-28), a pagan woman approaches Jesus to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus appears dismissive: it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs. But the woman's faith—that even the dogs may eat the crumbs that fall —opens the door for outsiders to also become recipients of care. The transformative "crumb" is not just leftover food, but a metaphor for social care and universal compassion: it can extend to all—there is no group that should be denied at least a bite from the shared feast.
The installation weaves together the childhood experience of seeking safety with the biblical narrative of inclusion and exclusion, while reflecting on the tensions of contemporary social stratification.
The title refers to a well-known biblical scene, yet the visual language diverges radically from traditional religious iconography. Though the artist identifies as an atheist, he consciously borrows the vocabulary of religious tradition, working within a Christian-democratic context where restrictions on freedom of assembly contradict the proclaimed principles of faith.
The oversized table evokes both the childhood memory of hiding beneath a table and the cool, solid security of a shelter. The internationally recognized „meeting point” pictogram on the tabletop reinforces this reading: the space becomes simultaneously a place of refuge and encounter.
As visitors move beneath the table, they encounter video projections introducing individuals who share a common thread— the experience of exclusion.
Text by Alex Kunu, adapted by Aliz Farkas
The faith of a pagan woman
VIDEO SERIES
Curatorial team: Clara Farkas, Nikoletta Lakatos, Norbert Oláh
Collaborating partner: OFF-Biennále Budapest
Venue: Bura Gallery
Dates: 2025.05.08 – 06.07
