Santiago

In the fall of 2007 I walked 275 of the 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago. The destination the tomb of the Apostle, James the Elder. To Catholics he is known as St. James(English) and Santiago (Spanish).

This piece is full of symbolism and memorabilia. The background is a photograph of his tomb and the star is displayed on top of the tomb at all times. It was a page on a calendar a German pilgrim sent me the following year. The shell a symbol of Pilgrim walkers. Back as early as the 9th century the pilgrims would return to their homelands with the scallop shell as proof they had completed their journey.

The image of Santiago was from a magazine from the American Pilgrims, a group that helped me prepare for my trip.

The leather band across the center is from the town just outside the 100 km marker at the end. I wore it everyday, all the time for nearly 18 months after I returned. It was so loved/worn out that it need a permanent home before it broke and I lost it.

You may follow my journey to Santiago from this link.

The hike across Spain was emotional and the most significant thing I've ever done. I will go again. There will be more collages.