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 at addressing the harm that has been caused under the banner of “God’s will.”
I am traveling to Scotland to visit the land of my ancestors and to learn about the history of the people who lived with the land and saw the many changes that history brought. Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones will celebrate a people long past who lived their life in balance with nature. 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 will use forms and layering inspired by armor, gothic elements carved in bone, and fabric printed with imagery from manuscripts and stone carvings. Techniques that will be implemented in this work include embroidery, silk-screening, sewing, carving, and metalsmithing. I will combine symbolism of historical Scottish life and spirituality, and meld 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 will explore the world of my ancestors, and create work that honors their legacy. This series will share the spiritual quest I have undertaken, and allow viewers to partake in my discoveries.
I am traveling to Scotland to visit the land of my ancestors and to learn about the history of the people who lived with the land and saw the many changes that history brought. Pilgrimage of Stories and Stones will celebrate a people long past who lived their life in balance with nature. 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 will use forms and layering inspired by armor, gothic elements carved in bone, and fabric printed with imagery from manuscripts and stone carvings. Techniques that will be implemented in this work include embroidery, silk-screening, sewing, carving, and metalsmithing. I will combine symbolism of historical Scottish life and spirituality, and meld 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 will explore the world of my ancestors, and create work that honors their legacy. This series will share the spiritual quest I have undertaken, and allow viewers to partake in my discoveries.
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
The work is all set up at cSPACE marda loop. The smaller things are in the Blackboard Gallery, and the larger pieces are in the hallway on the 2nd floor.
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
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This project is made possible with the help of: |
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-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
