All religious art usually follows the same set of rules and guidelines. However, Mexican artist, Bernardo Ramonfaur, is painting outside the lines. He is the founder of IKNU, an art store meant to promote the union of contemporary and sacred art.
BERNARDO RAMONFAUR
Artist
Exploring—I see images that I like and I try to integrate them, let's say, to my style. Sometimes, this new contemporary language might also have more to do with fractionalist, minimalist or even abstract art. How can you integrate these new forms into this sacred art or even conceptual art?
For now, Ramonfaur creates all of IKNU's art. But in the future, he intends to form a team with which to share his artistic vision.
BERNARDO RAMONFAUR
Artist
In the future, I see a workshop with more artists, where we can produce art—mainly in service of the Church, which is how this was born, in service of the community. The same is true of our work. I'm trying to get into new things: more sculptures...techniques that I'm not as familiar with or that I haven't experimented with as much, maybe due to lack of time.
In addition to making paintings and drawings, Ramonfaur also designs liturgical objects like chalices and ceramic patens. But he has also encountered challenges because of his artistic perspective.
BERNARDO RAMONFAUR
Artist
Sometimes, there has been tension with certain people who perhaps have a more traditional idea of what art or the Church should be.
Ramonfaur does most of his work for people in Latin America. However, the appeal of his art is beginning to transcend borders, reaching as far as Europe. Recently, Pope Francis spoke about the important relationship between art and faith to a group of artists.
POPE FRANCIS
In the current difficult world context, in which bewilderment and sadness seem to invade everything, your mission is more necessary than ever, because beauty is always a source of joy, which puts us in contact with divine goodness.
Ramonfaur's works can be seen on the IKNU website and on his Instagram profile. Little by little, initiatives like his are paving the way for new styles within the Catholic world.
AM TR: KG
