The Vatican Apostolic Library inaugurated Maria Lai’s first special exhibition at the Vatican on the morning of May 27, with the theme “The Art of Weaving Freedom”. The exhibition is open for viewing every Wednesday afternoon until July 15 this year.
(Vatican News Network)An art that precedes writing and discourse, and transcends words: Maria Lai’s work speaks to the book, yet is like a book without words, urging one to scrutinize its material. Through her creation, Maria Lai protects the language before the formation of characters, like a book composed of bread, fabric, clay, porcelain, paper and other materials. The works of the internationally acclaimed Italian artist are now in dialogue with the precious collection in the Apostolic Library of the Vatican. The special exhibition was unveiled on May 27 and is open to viewing every Wednesday afternoon until July 15 this year.
Card José Tolentino de Mendonça, General Director of the Libraries and Archives of the Holy Church in Rome, explains: “The library is a machine that asks questions, and not only that. It urges us to believe that freedom is written in the hands of The power of our inner doubts.” Looking at the work of Maria Lai, Card Mendonza quoted Pope Francis’ encyclical “Brethren”, stating that “this generation needs artisans”. Cardinal Mendonza praised Maria Lai’s ingenuity and said: “Her art is simple and unpretentious. As Pope Francis said: each of us is a thread in the fabric, and it is our responsibility to A small part in a big project. The final artwork is a practice of our humanity. Maria Lai shows what each of us can contribute to building a better world.”
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