30" x 30"
Archival pigment print 2019
@danny.custodio
Danny Custodio is a photo-based artist born in Toronto, ON, now based in St. Catharines. His artistic work is about understanding and exploring cultural traditions, from the centrality of immigrant manual labour to faith-based cultural practices through the lens of a first-generation Canadian born to an immigrant family, and how those cultural traditions can be adapted and re-created outside of their regional specificity. His work is a unique glimpse into the personal and artistic processes of incorporating family connection and cultural heritage into a life in Canada.
THE STORY:
Flower Carpets/Tapetes Floridos
Each year during religious festivals, citizens of São Miguel, Azores, line the streets with flower carpets for processions. Neighbors work together to blanket cobblestone streets with wood chips and seasonal plants. The wooden frames, unique to each home, are either built or inherited. Common flowers include Hydrangeas, Calla Lilies, Roses, and Daisies. As the son of Portuguese immigrants from São Miguel, I’ve always been fascinated by this tradition.
Childhood visits to the Azores allowed me to participate in creating a flower carpet with my aunt and uncle. The aroma of freshly picked petals was intoxicating. The intricate designs, often featuring circles, diamonds, and squares, are passed down through generations. These carpets are a testament to the love and devotion of the Azorean people.
Growing up in Little Portugal, Toronto, I felt a strong connection to my heritage. However, after moving to St. Catharines, Ontario, I experienced a sense of disconnection. To reconnect, I began creating my own flower carpets, using traditional designs shared by my family. I collect plant life from my garden and the Niagara Region, blending it with my personal interpretation of this familial art form. Hydrangeas, though not native to Niagara, are frequently used in my work due to their significance in Azorean culture.
After assembling the wooden frames and flowers, I photograph them in my studio and digitally assemble the long paths of the flower carpets. My goal is to evoke a sense of cultural history, family pride, and nostalgia, linking memories with those of today.
*Please note: Purchased works are available for pickup on Sat. Oct 5th from 12-3pm, otherwise, arrangements will be made between collectors and buyers directly following the Art Circuit.