Although British/Nigerian artist Mimi Shodeinde has always drawn inspiration from her multicultural home city of London, at 19 she was in search of a fresh start. ‘I spontaneously decided to move to Barcelona,’ she says. ‘I was craving a change of scenery and an escape from London life.’ She found work as an intern for a Spanish textile designer based in the Gothic Quarter of the city and used her lunch break to explore. It was here that she stumbled upon the needle-like spires and intricate stonework of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar – a Gothic cathedral in Barcelona’s architectural patchwork.
The construction of the basilica began in 1329, soaring from the minds of architects Berenguer de Montagut and Ramon Despuig, who oversaw its progress until completion in 1383. Built with the help of the local community, who contributed their efforts and funds towards its construction, the church stands today as a testament to devotion. ‘I can visit over and over again and each time I discover something new,’ says Mimi. ‘It brings back nostalgic moments of stillness and peace for me – the magic of long summer nights… It represents so much of what I love about that particular era of design.’
What followed for Mimi was a love affair with Barcelona and its history, while the basilica remained a touchstone for architectural inspiration. ‘I am very drawn to materiality, and here you can really feel the richness and strength of the old materials and the beauty of Spanish architecture. I will never tire of its charming hidden corners.’
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For Mimi, the basilica represents a connection to a bygone era of design, architecture and landscape. And it is her appreciation of those qualities that draws her back time and time again, to marvel at the strength and richness of the old materials and bask in the simple pleasures of sitting on a bench, reading a book, or chatting with a stranger about the finer points of Spanish architecture.
As she prepares to return for a break to Barcelona for another jaunt, Mimi is filled with anticipation and excitement, eager to rediscover the magic of the city and to immerse herself once more in the charm of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. For her, this majestic church is more than just a tourist attraction – it is a symbol of hope, resilience and the enduring power of beauty to uplift and inspire the human spirit.
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