DANNY CUSTODIO FLOWER CARPETS/TAPETES FLORIDOS

St. Catharines, ON

Each year during religious festivals, citizens on the island of São Miguel, Azores, line the streets with carpets made of flowers for people to walk on during processions. The neighbourhood works together to blanket the cobblestone streets with wood chips and local seasonal plants. Wooden frames are built or inherited and are unique to each home. Flowers commonly used include hydrangeas, calla lilies, roses,

and daisies. As the son of Portuguese immigrants from São Miguel, I have always been fascinated by this tradition. During a visit to the Azores as a child, I remember helping my aunt and uncle create their section of flower carpet that spanned from one end of their house to the other. The smell of the freshly picked flower petals and greenery was intoxicating and only intensified

once they were tread upon. Each frame is created by hand and passed down from generation to generation. Growing up in Toronto’s Little Portugal gave me a strong sense of belonging within the Portuguese community. Moving to St. Catharines, I felt disconnected from my heritage. As a way to reconnect, I’ve created my own flower carpets. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins

have shared their traditions with me helping me to create my own contemporary take on this practice. I want viewers to take away a sense of cultural history, family, and pride that connects traditions from the past to their present.

dannycustodio.com