FAIRHOPE, Ala, — Self-taught Birmingham artist Trés Taylor’s latest art project, Amaze: A Sacred Journey, is on display at the Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak St. in Fairhope.

Together with Xander Booker, Taylor transforms more than 300 square feet of plywood and roofing paper into an emotionally moving journey toward self-illumination.

The exhibit is a continuous mural extending 100 feet and tucked within the massive silhouette of one of Taylor’s signature subjects — a monk. At the monk’s center lies a labyrinth, an ancient symbol representing the expedition into one’s own being and back out into the world.

Amaze: A Sacred Journey illustrates an extraordinary spiritual experience Taylor shared with a live hawk in Japan back in 2002.

New to the profession, the encounter eliminated a period of artist’s block and personal doubt Taylor had about his future. The result was a powerfully prolific era of creativity and assurance of Taylor’s own purposeful path in creating art.

He later learned the hawk is considered to be a messenger from God whose purpose is to draw the creative spirit out of a person. This knowledge further confirmed Taylor’s inner call to paint.

“While Amaze chronicles an ‘amazing’ personal experience, it also represents the true illumination every person can feel when we make that difficult journey inward,” said Taylor. “The journey into one’s own heart is the sacred pathway to true love and joy. Only by going inside ourselves can we live a truly joyful life.”

Amaze: A Sacred Journey will be on display through Jan. 30.