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The Hammer of the Witch

This series of paintings represents the torture devices employed during the European witch hunts, a period often referred to as the "Burning Times." From the 13th century through the mid-19th century, Switzerland, among other European nations, actively participated in the persecution of individuals, particularly women, accused of witchcraft. During this time, Christian authorities increasingly sought to suppress pagan practices, which were frequently associated with women, leading to their victimization under the pretext of witchcraft. The instruments of torture depicted in this work also bear a striking resemblance to those used during the Atlantic slave trade, where African slaves were subjected to similar forms of brutal repression.

This project seeks to examine the relevance of the witch hunts within the context of present-day political dynamics and their enduring impact by investigating historical episodes of violence against marginalized communities, particularly women. By studying these devices in relation to historical events, literature, and art, the project opens up multiple ways of understanding their construction, function, and symbolic meaning.

In exploring these connections, the project reflects on how different eras and systems of oppression—whether the persecution of so-called witches or the enslavement of African people—used comparable methods of control, violence, and dehumanization. Both phenomena involved the scapegoating of vulnerable groups, underscoring the broader theme of how power structures deploy fear and brutality to marginalize, suppress, and dominate.

By revisiting these histories, the project highlights the parallels between past and present, encouraging reflection on how the legacies of such oppression still resonate today, whether through systemic racism, gender-based violence, or other forms of social injustice. The continued relevance of these devices, not only as tools of physical torture but also as symbols of deeper societal forces, speaks to their enduring presence in the modern consciousness.

This project is ongoing, evolving in response to contemporary political and social movements, suggesting a dynamic approach to understanding historical violence and its echoes in today's world.

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 Set of fifteen paintings,
Powder pigment and Gouache on paper,
Exhibited at Atelier Mondial, Basel, 2015.

Hetal Chudasama

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