In response to the growing number of people living in precarious conditions, SANCTUARY is a light installation composed of several used, non-functional tents. Each tent is a reassembly of geometric patterns, evoking both traditional quilts and church stained glass. In the current social climate, SANCTUARY highlights a fundamental need—one that is as universal as it is fragile: the need for a refuge, however modest it may be.
The project employs an interdisciplinary approach, blending textile art, sculpture, and installation. The visual references to quilts and stained glass evoke practices of care, protection, and gathering. The act of assembling materials worn by various individuals takes on profound meaning here: it embodies repair and a spirit of community. The title, SANCTUARY, alludes to the historical "right of sanctuary"—a protection once granted by sacred spaces to those in need—which has since been replaced by government laws that can, at times, be dehumanizing.
Acknowledgment: SANCTUARY is possible thanks to the campers who donated their worn-out tents and the seamstresses who shared their expertise. The project is carried out with support from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).