religious art

Tapestries and textiles in the Andes are as important today as they were 3,000 years ago, created for diverse purposes between daily life and godly ceremonies. Inspired by the culture he inherited from his ancestors, artisan Javier Landa continues the weaving traditions practised for millennia in what is today Peru, blending imagery between the indigenous world of the Inca with the colonial legacy of the Spanish, and the religion they brought to the region centuries prior.

Learning traditional weaving from his father as a child, Javier Landa started with a foundation in Ayacucho influence, which compelled him to dedicate his adult life and career to mastering the art of weaving, learning increasingly complex methods as he worked in diverse workshops across Peru until he developed his own artistic license and style, as shown in the Inca Cross. This tapestry is entirely hand woven, with each thread being developed and combined on the two pedal loom, delivering stunning textures and banding gradients.

Titled "Cruz del Inca" in Spanish

This elegant two-barred cross is crafted by Alejandro de Esesarte who cuts the image from steel sheets, then hammers it smooth. The cross is then hand-painted in acrylics with a sun inspired design, no doubt influenced by the semi desert climate of his home state of Jalisco. He then gives it a crackled finish for visual interest.

When the miracle in Bethlehem blessed the world with God's son, an archangel guided and protected the holy family with his tender wings. Motivated by this story of sacrifice and unconditional love, Guatemalan artisan Liz Oliva uses her expertise in pottery arts to create this ceramic semi-abstract sculpture whose pieces represent God's will protecting Joseph in his role as a family head, Mary in her role as a sweet nurturer and baby Jesus in all his innocence.