Tree of Life x Art & Architecture: Recovering a Lost Theological Language

Come join us for a Tale of Three Trees, a talk, and an exhibition!

Every culture engages art and architecture to articulate a theological grammar—a system of meaning that reflects its deepest values and beliefs. Using the “Tree of Life” motif as a lens, we will explore the importance of understanding not only the artistic object itself, but also the specific symbolic language it relies upon to develop a cultural imagination.

The evening will trace this development through its foundational roots, beginning with a reading of the Genesis account of the Tree of Life. We will investigate how this narrative evolves into the central motif of the Crucifix, exploring its visual expression in art and architecture, drawing on examples from the Blackfriars Gallery in Berkeley. By tracing these motifs as they travel and transform, we seek to reclaim a sense of symbolic literacy in the modern age.

Fr. Christopher Renz O.P. is a Dominican friar and the Professor of Liturgical Studies at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (DSPT). As Director of the Blackfriars Gallery & Library, Fr. Renz oversees collections that bridge the gap between creative practice and spiritual inquiry. His curatorial work is a direct extension of his research in Liturgical Anthropology and the Via Pulchritudinis (the Way of Beauty). Through this framework, he investigates how the fine arts—specifically architecture, visual arts, and music—function not merely as decoration, but as essential vehicles that facilitate Catholic worship and culture.
His academic journey is marked by a unique interdisciplinary perspective, beginning with a PhD in Microbiology from Northwestern University. This scientific background continues to serve as a foundational "lens" for his theological work, allowing him to explore the structural and organic intersections of the natural world and the divine. By integrating scholarly rigor with a deep commitment to sacred aesthetics, Fr. Renz invites a reconsideration of how symbolic language and material form shape the human experience of the sacred.

SF Art Forum values bringing rigor to philosophy and theology through the arts. Do come and join our vibrant community of artists, theologians, philosophers, and art enthusiasts. Note, we are a new initiative run by a small group of volunteers, so any donations are much appreciated.

As this is a new initiative, donations are much appreciated.

**Refreshments and parking available at the event.

Tree of Life x Art & Architecture: Recovering a Lost Theological Language

Chris Renz O.P.

Tuesday, 7.30pm 2nd June 2026

2389 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA

The Dumb Ox Building

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Host or Publisher Nathalia Bell