About:

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Artist Statement:

When I crafted THE FORGIVENESS PIECE, I knew it was more than just an art object—it was a demonstration piece for the journey we all walk. The two intersecting ladders form a cross, symbolizing the suffering, burdens, and painful stories we carry with us. These aren’t abstract ideas; they are the real experiences of guilt, shame, and pain that shape our lives. But THE FORGIVENESS PIECE is about not staying trapped in those stories. It’s about the moment we wake up—the moment we realize we’ve been holding on to beliefs that were never true.

The power of the sculpture is in its form and movement. The horizontal ladder, symbolizing the timeline of our lives, captures moments of difficulty, the “hooks” that keep us tethered to old narratives. But as our awareness grows, that ladder shifts and aligns with the vertical—the truth, LOVE itself. In this shift, something profound happens. The cross no longer represents suffering but becomes two ladders, becoming one, realigned, and a symbol of resurrection. The ladders now serving as a metaphor for rising... above old stories of guilt, blame, and condemnation. This metaphorical resurrection, revealing that peace is always within reach, waiting for us to reclaim it.

This piece is personal and it is universal. I’ve lived some stories, just as everyone has. I designed THE FORGIVENESS PIECE to be interactive so that each time we adjust the ladders, we’re not just observing art—we’re participating in the act of letting go. It’s a touchstone, a reminder that forgiveness is not about erasing the past; it’s about seeing it differently. Every movement is an invitation to shift from the weight of our stories into the lightness of truth, the is-ness of love, and the being of peace.

The sculpture is meant to rest on a clear acrylic platform, symbolizing the clarity we gain when we realize and release illusions. Forgiveness elevates us, just as this piece is lifted above the surface—lighter, freer, and aligned with the peace inherent within us. Peace isn’t something we need to earn or prove our worthiness for; it’s a natural state that we forget in the process of embracing false beliefs.

For those who bring this piece into their homes, I hope it serves as more than just a work of art. I hope it becomes a companion, as it has for me, on my journey of healing and self-discovery—a daily reminder when I forget that I  am not defined by my wounds but by the light of Love that is unchanging and unchangeable.

At the heart of THE FORGIVENESS PIECE is the universal symbol of the cross—a representation of the journey from conflict to peace found in many spiritual traditions. The sculpture’s kinetic movement reflects the process of transformation, where the horizontal ladder—representing life’s challenges—rotates to align with the vertical ladder, symbolizing personal and spiritual growth. This movement serves as an invitation to transcend suffering through forgiveness, allowing us to realign with love and unity.

The cross is often viewed as a bridge between humanity and the divine, where suffering is transformed into spiritual renewal and resurrection. In THE FORGIVENESS PIECE, this symbolism is mirrored in the motion of the ladders. The horizontal ladder, a symbol of the burdens and attachments we carry through life, shifts to meet the vertical, just as forgiveness allows us to release those burdens and open ourselves to healing. This transformation moves us from a place of separation to one of connection with a deeper presence.

At the center of the sculpture and within ourselves is a quiet guide, leading us toward this alignment. While unseen, this presence urges us to release the stories of conflict and embrace the love that lies at our core. As the ladders align, they remind us that peace is found not in defense or separation but in the act of letting go and allowing love to guide the way.

Displaying THE FORGIVENESS PIECE in your home, workspace, or sacred space serves as a beacon of hope—a reminder that forgiveness is the bridge that leads us from suffering to peace. Its graceful motion reflects the power of letting go, aligning us with a deeper truth that brings healing and unity, both within ourselves and in the world around us. As we embrace forgiveness, its impact ripples outward—bringing harmony not only to our personal lives but to the connections we share with others and, ultimately, to the larger fabric of humanity.

The sculpture’s gentle movement invites you to engage with it, reminding you of the transformative journey it represents. By physically interacting with the piece, you are drawn into its message, allowing the act of forgiveness to feel not just like a concept but an embodied experience.

Visual artist VIENNE REA has spent over forty years mastering the fine arts of photography and sculpture, culminating in her latest venture, THE LOVE LADDERS—a collection of sculptural jewelry and curio designs. At the heart of this series is THE FORGIVENESS PIECE, a dynamic kinetic sculpture that reflects VIENNE’s signature approach to storytelling and transformation through art.

While VIENNE’s extensive body of work—spanning decades and viewable at viennerea.com—showcases her expertise in photography and sculpture, her jewelry and curios will soon be available at THE LOVE LADDERS website (please visit theloveladders.com). THE FORGIVENESS PIECE stands as a singular artwork, deserving its own space to honor the profound meaning it holds.

Inspired by a vision of ladders in a dream, VIENNE’s exploration of sculptural art began with this powerful symbol, which she continues to carry forward into her jewelry designs. Each piece, much like her photographs and sculptures, is infused with deeply personal yet universal narratives. By naming each design, VIENNE fosters a meaningful connection with the Collector, encouraging introspection and reflection on one’s own life stories.

THE LOVE LADDERS collection invites us to transform our life stories into love stories—each piece serving as a reminder of the endless possibility for peace.

Forgiveness is the gentle release of the burdens we carry within our hearts. It is an act of profound inner freedom, where we choose to let go of the shadows that darken our spirit. By embracing forgiveness, we open ourselves to the light of true healing, allowing our hearts to be restored and renewed. It is a journey of recognizing that our shared humanity binds us all and that extending grace to others is, in turn, a gift we give to ourselves. In this sacred act, we find the courage to move beyond condemnation and reclaim the peace that has always been ours. Forgiveness is not merely an act of letting go of others' offenses; it is a profound journey inward, where we gently release our own beliefs in separation, guilt, and wrongness. 

Through forgiveness, we rise above the confines of the story of hurt and discover the boundless capacity of love that lies within us all. We embrace the truth of our shared wholeness and open our hearts to a healing that transcends all past grievances. This deeper forgiveness involves seeing beyond the surface of conflict to understand that we are all innocent and interconnected. 

Through this profound shift, we rise to a state of true liberation, where the path before us is illuminated by the light of a rediscovered peace, guiding us back to the timeless essence of the love that we are.