Few weeks ago as the result an Open Call in collaboration between GISE and The Puglieser, together with 14 Apulia illustrators, I partecipated to a collective exhibition during the GISE Congress at the Nicolaus hotel in Bari. Since it was a Cardiology Congress, we were asked to create an illustration that could relate the concept of the heart together with Puglia.
Therefore I decided to create a tribute to the women who, for many of us, represent the deepest connection to our childhood and our homeland: our grandmothers.
In Southern Italy, and especially in Puglia, it is often the grandmothers — more than the parents — who pass down the traditions, values, and rituals that define our identity. They are the keepers of stories, recipes, and ancient wisdom. With this illustration, I wanted to honor them by placing the sacred heart of Puglia in their hands
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This sacred heart artwork is filled with symbolic elements that represent the soul of this land:
- The olive tree, symbol of peace and resilience
- Prickly pears, a fruit of strength and survival
- The tambourine of the pizzica, echoing the rhythm of our dance and music
- Festival lights (luminarie), which illuminate our streets during local festivals
- An electrocardiogram line in the shape of a trullo, the iconic Puglian home
- A drop of sea water, representing the Mediterranean that surrounds and nourishes us
- The background – is a typical grandma pattern dress. They love to wear dressed with flower pattern specially during summertime.
Each element was carefully chosen to speak to the heart of anyone who knows and loves this region.
This Puglia-themed digital illustration is not just an artwork — it’s a love letter to Puglia and a celebration of the grandmothers of Southern Italy, who carry and protect our cultural heritage with strength, grace, and devotion.
If you’re searching for art inspired by Puglia, sacred heart illustrations, or Italian cultural digital art, I hope this piece resonates with you.
Let me know if you’d like me to help you write image alt texts, meta descriptions, or Instagram captions to go with this!
