Touch and sight have traditionally been considered opposing senses: the former requires direct contact and proximity, while the latter operates at a distance, mediating knowledge through light. However, the theory of the haptic gaze challenges this dichotomy by proposing a way of seeing that resembles touching. The haptic gaze does not merely observe but “caresses” the image, perceiving its texture and density as if fingertips could explore it.

This idea resonates with the figure of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who doubted Christ’s resurrection until he could touch His wounds. His story highlights the limitations of sight alone and the need for tactile confirmation of reality. From this perspective, visual perception is never purely optical but always involves a tactile dimension, especially when the image becomes material.

In these images, I have chosen representations of Saint Thomas in which the eyes are looking at the wound while the finger is touching it. By recombining these two elements, touch and sight find themselves in a battle of perceptions.