TANIA CROSSINGHAM, SHA
Tania is a visual artist creating Medieval Illuminations, Heraldic art, and Visionary art. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, she now lives in Espoo, Finland.
As a young person, her love of books, art, medieval history, all things miniature and a deep connec-tion to the Divine led her to the exquisite manuscripts produced during the Medieval era. “While re-searching an assignment at Art College, I stumbled across a large book on medieval illuminations. As I opened it up, the images took my breath away, and I felt a connection with the past open up for me. I borrowed the book, bought myself some calligraphy pens and gold leaf then launched into copying a manuscript from the book.”
She has exhibited her work at many venues including the State Museum and the State Library of Queensland, Australia; has been Artist in Residence at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane; was featured at the Abbey Medieval Festival (Australia’s largest medieval Festival) and the St Ives Medieval Festival in Sydney, Australia. Her illuminations have been sent to The Head of the Marist Brothers in Rome, and been presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For several years Tani taught Art and History to High School students, but then left it to pursue a solo art career. During this time she taught many adult classes and courses on Medieval Illumination through the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology and other locations in Australia. She spent elev-en years doing Medieval reenactment with various groups and found this to be a wonderfully enrich-ing experience as she experimented with many crafts such as bone carving, working with horn, and embroidery.
“My illuminations are gifts of Light; a fusion of classical beauty and the ideas needed to help mankind come of age spiritually. They are a bridge linking energy from a bygone era with the vibrant and powerful energies of a new era, allowing humankind to resolve old issues and move forward into a newly emerging world of awakening consciousness.”
Her vision: “My Intent as an Artist is to use Universal symbolism and Sacred words to create images that speak to people on a soul level and help them to move towards finding an inner balance. My vision is that these images will inspire and challenge people to become more; to search their own hearts for the treasure that lies within. This treasure is simply an understanding of who you really are, beyond your current human perception. It is the joy of experiencing the connection to all beings, and the Divine Source of all Life.”
“Art has the power to strike deep at the soul. To stir… to move… to inspire…”