ARTIST STATEMENT

SAGRADA FAMILIA: FOREST OF LIGHT is a collection of photographs celebrating the work and genius of Antoni Gaudi. His three greatest loves were Architecture, his Catholic Faith, and Nature. The Sagrada Familia offers us a portrait of Gaudi, mirroring him in mind, heart and spirit.

Gaudi’s designs for the Sagrada Familia were very much shaped by his own interest in mathematics and observations of nature. The design of the exterior of the Sagrada was influenced by the odd shapes and dripping rock formations of the Spanish Pyreness mountains in Catalonia. The Nativity facade’s stonework and details much resemble these.

In the interior, Gaudi created a “Forest of Light.” The tree like columns are inclined and at all angles representing the way trees lean and support the canopy of the forest. Just as in the forest, rays of light are filtered into the basilica through the canopy, creating an AWE inspiring atmosphere and ambiance. Stain glass windows allow rays of light to stream into the Temple from sunrise until sunset.

My own photographic work is inspired by Ansel Adams, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. I am influenced by my own love of nature and the outdoors; my Catholic upbringing and lifelong career in faith formation; and my grandmother who was very accomplished at quilting and knitting colorful intricate afghans.

I am a lifelong learner in my third year of studies in Photography at City College. I completed an Architectural Photography certificate, May 2019, and a Digital Photography certificate, May 2020; an M.B.A. (1982) and an M.A. in Religious Studies (1986), University of Dayton; and a B.A. (1969), St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Photographers capture color, light, emotion, textures, shapes and detail in their work! It is my hope and goal to accomplish this in my photography and fine art prints of Gaudi’s SAGRADA FAMILIA |FOREST OF LIGHT!