Contemporary Nature-Inspired Reliquaries: My Journey of creating Sacred reflection through art

As a visual artist, my work has always been deeply inspired by nature, and in this latest body of work, I’ve sought to explore that connection in a new and meaningful way. I’m calling this collection **"Contemporary Nature-Inspired Reliquaries."** Each piece is designed as a unique wooden box with niches filled with sculptural items that reflect the simplicity and sacredness of nature. Inside these boxes, you’ll find birds, nests, pods, weavings, and other abstract elements, all of which are crafted with the intention of inviting the viewer to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.

These pieces are more than just decorative objects; they are personal invitations to experience a moment of stillness and meditation in the middle of life’s chaos. The boxes themselves are treated as cold wax and oil paintings, with rich, textured surfaces that evoke the beauty and complexity of the natural world. My goal with these reliquaries is to celebrate the sacred in simplicity, creating a visual and tactile experience that encourages reflection, rest, and reverence for the natural world.

The Tradition of Reliquaries: Drawing from the Past

The concept of the reliquary has long fascinated me, and this new body of work is a nod to that rich history. Traditionally, reliquaries have been used to house sacred relics, often within religious contexts. These objects—whether bones, clothing, or other items associated with saints or holy figures—were revered as tangible connections to the divine. The reliquary itself, often beautifully crafted and intricately adorned, became a vessel of reverence, designed to protect and display these sacred relics.

As I’ve studied the history of reliquaries, particularly their use within Christianity, I’ve been struck by their dual purpose: they serve both as a physical container for the relic and as a devotional object in their own right. The beauty and craftsmanship of these reliquaries were meant to inspire awe and reverence, drawing the viewer into a deeper sense of connection with the divine. This interplay between form and function has greatly influenced my approach to creating these contemporary works.

Reimagining the Reliquary: Honoring Nature’s Sacredness

In my **"Contemporary Nature-Inspired Reliquaries,"** I’ve sought to take the essence of the traditional reliquary and reimagine it for our modern world. Rather than housing religious relics, these pieces contain elements of nature that, for me, hold their own form of sacredness. Birds, nests, pods, and weavings are all objects that I associate with the beauty, fragility, and mystery of the natural world—qualities that I believe are worthy of reverence and reflection.

Each element within the reliquary is carefully chosen and crafted to evoke a sense of stillness and connection. The birds, for example, often symbolize freedom and the soul, while the nests evoke ideas of home, protection, and nurturing. The pods and weavings speak to the interconnectedness of life and the way nature weaves its elements together into a unified whole. These objects, while simple in form, carry layers of meaning that invite the viewer to look deeper and contemplate their own relationship with the natural world.

I’ve always felt that nature has a profound way of speaking to the soul, and through this work, I hope to create spaces where that conversation can happen—spaces where viewers can pause and reflect on the sacredness that exists all around us, even in the simplest elements of nature.

The Creative Process: A Meditative Journey

The creation of each reliquary is, for me, a deeply meditative process. The wooden boxes themselves are treated as abstract cold wax and oil paintings, and the surfaces are rich with texture and layers. The cold wax medium allows me to create a patina-like effect, reminiscent of weathered surfaces that have aged over time, while the oil paint adds depth and subtle variations in color. The result is a surface that feels both timeless and contemporary—much like the objects housed within.

I love the tactile quality of cold wax and oil painting, and I often find myself getting lost in the process of building up layers of texture and color. There’s a quietness to this medium that I think complements the contemplative nature of the reliquaries. As I work, I think about the balance between chaos and calm, between complexity and simplicity, and how these opposites come together in the natural world. I try to capture that balance in the surfaces of these boxes, creating something that feels both soothing and intriguing.

Once the box is complete, I carefully arrange the sculptural elements inside. Each niche is like a small window into a world of its own, and I spend a lot of time considering how the objects interact with each other and with the space around them. My hope is that when viewers look into these niches, they feel drawn into a moment of quiet reflection—much like when you stumble upon something beautiful and unexpected in nature.

Inviting the Viewer into Stillness

At the heart of this work is a desire to offer viewers a moment of stillness and contemplation. In a world that moves so quickly, I believe there is great value in creating art that encourages people to slow down, to focus on the small details, and to take a deep breath. The niches within each reliquary are designed to be focal points—places where the viewer can rest their gaze and allow their mind to wander.

I’ve always been drawn to art that creates space for reflection, and I see these reliquaries as a way of providing that space. Whether it’s the delicate curve of a bird, the intricate weaving of a basket, or the texture of a pod, I want the viewer to feel invited into a quiet conversation with the work. And in that quietness, I hope they find a sense of peace and connection—both with nature and with themselves.

Art as a Refuge in a Chaotic World

In many ways, I see these reliquaries as a form of refuge—an artistic sanctuary where the viewer can escape, even if only for a few moments, from the noise and busyness of life. Nature has always been my refuge, and through this work, I hope to share that sense of refuge with others.

Each of the natural elements I include in these works represents something I find grounding and healing in nature. The birds, nests, pods, and weavings are all symbols of life, growth, and the cycles of nature—reminders that, even in the midst of chaos, there is always something beautiful and worth paying attention to.

I believe that art has the power to create space for healing and reflection, and I hope that these reliquaries can serve that purpose. By focusing on the small, simple details of nature—details that are so often overlooked in the rush of daily life—I want to encourage viewers to take a breath, to pause, and to reconnect with the beauty of the natural world.

A Sacred Pause in the Midst of Life

Ultimately, my **"Contemporary Nature-Inspired Reliquaries"** are about creating a sacred pause in the midst of life’s chaos. They are a reminder to slow down, to look more closely, and to find the sacred in the world around us. I believe that art has the power to offer us those moments of stillness and reflection, and through this work, I hope to provide that opportunity for others.

As I continue to create these reliquaries, I’m reminded of the importance of honoring the beauty and simplicity of nature. It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace of life, but there is so much to be gained by taking the time to focus, remember, and enjoy the small things. That’s what these pieces are all about—celebrating the sacred in the everyday, and finding peace in the process.

Through this body of work, I hope to invite viewers into that sacred space, where they can rest, reflect, and reconnect with the world around them. These reliquaries are my way of sharing the quiet beauty of nature, and I’m excited to see how they resonate with those who encounter them.