How far does an individual have to fall for their sins to be considered deadly? Present day, society depicts only the darkest and most malevolent of people as being associated with sinning. But does this mean that all sins begin with evil intent? Not all of them. Sins are classified as “deadly” when they can be experienced by anyone, as shown in the raw and color-popping art by MoMo Mitchell, where she uses women from various nationalities. According to religious edicts, those who commit deadly sins are predestined to an eternity in hell once they die. There are seven in total and the cycle begins with an overpowering desire to commit immoral acts, conveyed in iconic images of objectivity which represent to powerful covetousness of human nature, and branches off into a plethora of all-consuming transgressions.

Wanton desire breeds lust, the most common of the deadly sins. It is commonly connected with the sexual nature of a human being. To be considered deadly, cravings for bodily pleasure have to take over the life of the individual, leading them to perform the most undignified actions. Pedophiles, prostitutes, and adulterers are some of the many examples of those guilty of lust. In the first image, sexually-degrading themes are conveyed by using lingerie, lips to represent the indulgent act of kissing, and a rose for the passionate and recurring theme of love. An eye is used to represent seduction and intrigue. The girl’s hands are reaching to grab at her body to represent the strong desires of lusters. They always use physical means to achieve a feeling of empathetic connection and covet something to the point where they will do anything to get it. For most, lust clouds their conscience and disregards precaution, leaving them prone to sexually transmitted diseases, eventually leading to death. Once the object of lust is acquired the individual can desire outrageous multitudes of it, leading to the next deadly sin: gluttony.

Gluttony is a feeling of insatiability and excess gourmandism. It is customarily associated with the consumption of food taken to the extreme. Overconsumption can leave the body of an individual immobile or unable to function, resulting in them committing the deadly sin. Alcoholism and drug addiction can also be connected to gluttony. The accumulation of these unhealthy amounts causes the death of the person. The second image was created using the colors red and yellow, which are used by many fast food restaurants, famously McDonald’s and Hardee’s, because they have been dramatized to make people hungry. There are also many fatty and sugar-filled foods in the background, such as the transcendent burger and fries, because they are medically-proven to be addicting. There are crumbs around the woman’s mouth and the position of her hand is held as if she was holding something to eat. The appetites of gluttons can never be appeased, just like those driven by greed.

Intense yearning for bottomless wealth and more possessions than others is known as greed. It is the desire to acquire more than the individual needs for the feeling of gaining something. An endless infatuation for large amounts of money by stealing or taking from those less fortunate. In the third image, wealth is captured using vibrant visuals of money and the rings on the model’s fingers. She bought ridiculously expensive items that serve no purpose other than avarice and pride. Additionally, she wears pearls, which are symbols of fortitude and rarity that can be bought. Her hands cover her eyes because greedy people can’t see a world without money, similar to those obsessed with vanity.

Pride, also known as vanity, is the excessive belief of one’s abilities. Vain individuals see themselves as above others due to their social standing or physical appearance. Examples of a people guilty of vanity are those who starve themselves to keep the “perfect” figure or bodybuilders that use steroids. In the fourth image, the woman has her hands positioned for modeling, which is a popular industry known for altering the visages of people for profit. Her hair is cut to be symmetrically straight and not a hair is out of place, as to represent how vain people strive for perfect in all aspects of their lives. Swirling around her are items used for makeup and appearance, like a tube of lipstick and a handheld mirror. For every prideful person, there is one who envies them.

Envy is the inclination for the traits or possessions of another person. The concept overpowers their thoughts and actions, rendering them helpless with desire. This is where the saying “green with envy” was developed and is used throughout the color scheme in the fifth image. Envious people always see themselves as second place, which is why there is a large “#2” floating in the background, as in the woman’s thoughts. The individual desperately wants to look or become something other than themselves. Oftentimes there are those who try extensive alteration, resulting in them committing the deadly sin of envy. In the fifth image, the woman has less feminine and unattractive features to represent her feelings of unattractiveness. Her body is positioned awkwardly to show her need of attention and unconditional affection. Her hands touch her cheek to show her envy of people she deems more beautiful than herself. Jealous people always see themselves as permanently as unworthy, which is depicted by the background’s images of a silver medal and the label of “No Barbie”. What happens when desire drives a person to perform violent and abusive acts? This type of unwarranted fury results in wrath.

Individuals who opt for rage in place of love are guilty of committing wrath. They anger pushes them to be brutal and threatening to others. Blinded by aggression, these sinners will do anything to damage the lives of others by any means necessary. They are dangerous criminals who let emotion overshadow moral judgment, justifying violent action without viable reasoning. In the sixth image, a woman is depicted sticking up her middle finger, a common symbol of anger, and her eyes are filled with contempt and rage. The image has eye-popping ordinances of red because it is overbearing and unmanageable. There is a bomb and knife in the background to represent murderers and terrorists; flames and an anti-sign to show destruction and opposition. After rage builds up inside a person, strong emotions burn out over time, inevitably leading to exhaustion.

Last, but not least deadly, is sloth or groundless lethargy. It is the avoidance of physical action or work and purposely not contributing to society in any way. Someone who would rather remain homeless as compared to employed and working. The people that refuse to help themselves succeed or enhance the lives of others by being lethargic and inactive commit sloth. In the final image, a woman is depicted with her eyes closed and her head tilted backward, because she is dreaming of the recurring subject of sleep. Her mind is closed off any outside forces and focused solely on the blissful ignorance of slumber. A dark sheep is in the background to represent the restlessness that comes with the resignation of inactivity. Colors variations of blue, grey, and purple give off feelings of melancholy and vulnerability, as well as provide depth to the ease of laziness.
