Weaving faith with art: how a ceramic tile inspired an artist's spiritual journey

It was now or never: my textiles class was waiting to hear me explain my World Youth Day pilgrimage-infused patchwork art piece.

I had spoken before to my peers and teachers in art critiques, but this one was different. This particular presentation allowed me the opportunity to fuse two very dear parts of myself: my art and my faith. Nervous anticipation of unknown feedback was getting to me.

Two months prior, I was in adoration with 1.5 million Catholics in Parque Tejo, a field in Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day. Now, as an aspiring artist studying fine arts at Langara College in Vancouver, I had the chance to describe how my World Youth Day pilgrimage led to the creation of a 2D story-telling textiles piece. 

The idea began with a patchwork quilt, but then developed into colours and patterns inspired by a ceramic tile I purchased from a local Portuguese artist. In Portugal, the culture and abundance of tilework was an enormous inspiration. The linework, symmetry, and bright seaside colour palette instantly drew me in.

The project fell into place almost perfectly. I knew, deep down, that I could not create a piece loosely based on my experience: it had to be the entire meaning or nothing. As I sewed a star with golden upholstery fabrics, I ended up with a massive hole which I decided to fill with silk. The star became the Eucharist in a monstrance and symbolically represented the Pope at World Youth Day.

In a cubist, abstract perspective, the colours and various textures became the personal journeys around the world coming to see the leader of the Church. I attribute this “accident” to the Holy Spirit, who wanted his true intentions to be made known. 

I started by standing in front of my class and teacher, not speaking, allowing the piece to live on its own before relaying its origin story. Each interpretation of art is individual. Every artist knows that once art is on display, its meaning, no matter the original intent, does not matter as much as the ongoing conversation between the piece and the viewer. 

I spoke nervously about my personal faith-filled experience, and then my work was discussed and analyzed in front of my class and teacher.

I answered from the heart, described my pilgrimage, and waited while my peers pondered what this meant to them. As I heard my classmates connecting, complimenting, and questioning my experience in a respectful and almost reverent manner, each passing comment made my smile and confidence increase. Gratitude overflowed while they relayed words of praise and curiosity. 

A few of their comments stood out for me. One suggested that because of the quality of the piece I should go into textiles or quilt making.

Another said my pilgrimage journey made sense because his eyes were drawn to that off-centre star shape.

The silvery silk and matte-textured fabrics reminded others of priestly vestments, even though they themselves are not religious. The connections, understanding, and reassurance from my peers encouraged me not only to speak up but rejoice in the profound revelation.

The depth of the piece did not end there. Over the next week, while working on my final project, I added three more panels for a total of nine squares to complete the look of the fabric tile with a border. My final textiles project was to explore “World Changes.” My teacher suggested that the topic of religion and how it is changing in the world today might be worth exploring further.

That meant more to me than she must have realized, and as a result, I handcrafted a life-size angel wing. I called it “Healing Angel” because it represents the peace and shelter that the world so desperately needs.

My journey from last August to today has led me to understand that the world needs more Christians making art, not just more Christian art. The support and words of encouragement from the important people in my life continually tell me that I am on the right path.

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