Statement
This show explores the spirituality of my ancestors in historic Scotland through the lens of my own experiences of being raised in a high-demand Christian religion. I was raised strictly Christian and left my church at the beginning of the pandemic. Realizing that the narratives of the church were harmful, caused my faith to shake and my spirituality to break. It has taken a lot of learning over the past 2 years to process the upheaval and I have since researched and explored many forms of spirituality. My understanding of the harm done by Christian sects informs this work as a necessary criticism of the religion that looms behind colonization and Western society. Many of these beliefs are responsible for the racism, homophobia, transphobia, and sexism in our culture. Analyzing this history of religion and its effects on our lives is the first step toward addressing the harm that has been caused under the banner of “God’s will.”
I received funding from Calgary Arts Development to go to Scotland to visit the land of my ancestors and create a body of work based on my research. While I was abroad in August 2022, I was able to learn about the history of the people who lived during the time of the medieval age and before, and I was able to collect inspiration from architecture, artifacts, folktales, history, and ornamentation. Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones celebrates a people long past who lived their life in balance with nature, and who placed focus on creation The goal for this collection of work is to share the hope that spirituality can return to teachings of harmony and kindness regardless of the way one chooses to worship (or not).
The collection makes use of forms and layering inspired by armor, gothic elements, symbols of witchcraft, and fabric printed with imagery inspired by my research. Techniques that will be implemented in this work include silk screening, sewing, carving, metalsmithing, leatherworking, and illumination. This work combines symbolism of historical Scottish life and spirituality, and melds them together with my experience with religion and my new respect for the beliefs of paganism, new-age spirituality, and witchcraft.
Through Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones, I have explored the world of my ancestors and created a body of work that honors their legacy. This series shares the spiritual quest I have undertaken, and allows viewers to partake in my discoveries alongside me.
I received funding from Calgary Arts Development to go to Scotland to visit the land of my ancestors and create a body of work based on my research. While I was abroad in August 2022, I was able to learn about the history of the people who lived during the time of the medieval age and before, and I was able to collect inspiration from architecture, artifacts, folktales, history, and ornamentation. Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones celebrates a people long past who lived their life in balance with nature, and who placed focus on creation The goal for this collection of work is to share the hope that spirituality can return to teachings of harmony and kindness regardless of the way one chooses to worship (or not).
The collection makes use of forms and layering inspired by armor, gothic elements, symbols of witchcraft, and fabric printed with imagery inspired by my research. Techniques that will be implemented in this work include silk screening, sewing, carving, metalsmithing, leatherworking, and illumination. This work combines symbolism of historical Scottish life and spirituality, and melds them together with my experience with religion and my new respect for the beliefs of paganism, new-age spirituality, and witchcraft.
Through Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones, I have explored the world of my ancestors and created a body of work that honors their legacy. This series shares the spiritual quest I have undertaken, and allows viewers to partake in my discoveries alongside me.
Research
Head to the research page to see pictures from my trip!
As I visit castles, fairy sites, stone circles, and churches I will journal my impressions, sketch ornamentation, and photograph artifacts. In addition I will create performance art and document it with video.
Follow along on Instagram for updates.
As I visit castles, fairy sites, stone circles, and churches I will journal my impressions, sketch ornamentation, and photograph artifacts. In addition I will create performance art and document it with video.
Follow along on Instagram for updates.
Update
I did an interview with some journalist students about the show!
zednewsyyc.weebly.com/interviews/jennifer-hartley-illanes-medieval-craftswoman-of-the-21st-century
zednewsyyc.weebly.com/interviews/jennifer-hartley-illanes-medieval-craftswoman-of-the-21st-century
Join me
Ways to be a part of this project:
- Engage on social media.
- Come to the exhibition.
- View the work on this website.
- Share this with your friends/family/followers.
Acknowledgements
-Calgary Arts Development for investing in my grant application
-Elke Haggerty for assisting me in grant writing in connection with the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society
-cSPACE projects, Shona Rae, and the Blackboard Gallery for hosting the show in March 2023
-All my friends and family who helped make this dream come true.
-Elke Haggerty for assisting me in grant writing in connection with the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society
-cSPACE projects, Shona Rae, and the Blackboard Gallery for hosting the show in March 2023
-All my friends and family who helped make this dream come true.
This show will be created and exhibited in the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw, Wesley and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. Moh’kinsstis is also homeland to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. LAND BACK.
Copyright Ⓒ Jennifer Hartley Illanes 2023