Body of work commemorative of 850 year since the arrival of S. Vicente relics in Lisbon.
Made for the collective exhibition on show at the Mosteiro de S. Vicente in Lisbon, 13th September 2024 to January 2025.
On the night of September 15, 1173, the relics of the martyr St. Vincent arrived in Lisbon, transported by boat at dawn and flanked by two crows. This event marked a significant milestone not only for the city but also for the nascent Christian kingdom. Lisbon, one of the most important cities in the country, became a place of veneration for the remains of the great martyr of Zaragoza, and thus a pilgrimage destination. St. Vincent became the patron saint of Lisbon, and his relics rest to this day in the patriarchal Cathedral.
Lisbon was conquered from the Moors in 1147, leading to a difficult struggle between the conquerors and the conquered. Religiously, there was also a significant conflict between Islam and the newly established Christian rulers. The arrival of St. Vincent's relics, lost in the fog but guided safely by God's providence in the form of crows, signified the end of 26 years of turmoil. It ushered in a long-awaited period of peace and stability, making it possible to rebuild and heralding a new future for Lisbon and Portugal.
This series portrays the sense of loss, bloodshed, conquest, and the hope of those living in turmoil and violence, yearning for peace and stability. Every day, God gifts us with a new dawn, shedding light on our human nature, our violence, and our conquests. Each day is a new opportunity for hope and change. There is an almost imperceptible line between Heaven and the Divine, and Earth and form.
Paying homage to his life and his testimony of faith, we find an exhibition by a group of artists and friends who share a love of art. It is made up of works of different techniques, styles and formats, created specifically for this exhibition project. These transpose us to the Vincentian world, resilience and glory in the Love of God.
