Tracey Rose

The title of this photograph plays with the etymology and spelling of two words with vastly different histories. ‘Regina coeli’ is Latin. It means ‘the Queen of Heaven’ and is a reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. It is used by the Catholic Church as a chant during Easter mass to praise the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rose, in character for the photograph, wears a nun’s uniform and stands in a state of reverence.

Yet the pronunciation and spelling of ‘Coeli’ suggests a connection to the derogatory term ‘Coolie’. During the nineteenth century, this term was used in British colonies to describe indentured laborers from India and South East Asia who worked in sugarcane plantations. Rose’s reinvention of Mary into a figure of Indian descent transforms her role into that of a saint who protects and blesses the working class. Mary’s sanctified duty serves the workers who were exploited by colonialism rather than the prayers of white priests and worshippers.