[Divinity]
[Divinity]
Divinity (recipient of Teravarna Art Gallery's Honorable Mention Award in the "5th Still Life" art competition) is a photographic still life project that represents my process of reclaiming my relationship with spirituality as an indigenous and queer third-culture kid. Much of the process of redefining the Divine has been through decolonizing and transforming my own spiritual practice by reconnecting to and reshaping cultural traditions in a way that honors my ancestors, while incorporating and creating my own daily rituals that holds my queerness in its fullness.
Divinity (recipient of Teravarna Art Gallery's Honorable Mention Award in the "5th Still Life" art competition) is a photographic still life project that represents my process of reclaiming my relationship with spirituality as an indigenous and queer third-culture kid. Much of the process of redefining the Divine has been through decolonizing and transforming my own spiritual practice by reconnecting to and reshaping cultural traditions in a way that honors my ancestors, while incorporating and creating my own daily rituals that holds my queerness in its fullness.
Sacred, 2020
I chose to use items found around my home that are sacred to me, including a photo of a living ancestor - Maa - a candle, and thuk thi string blessings that I keep on my altar. I also chose to include a gold chain - often gifted to children and grandchildren as heirlooms - and a rattan chair from Laos - one of three gifted to me and each of my two siblings from our grandparents. Lastly, I added in food/herbs and cooking vessels because food as an offering plays an essential role within ceremony and everyday life/relationships for Khmu and Iu Mien communities.
I chose to use items found around my home that are sacred to me, including a photo of a living ancestor - Maa - a candle, and thuk thi string blessings that I keep on my altar. I also chose to include a gold chain - often gifted to children and grandchildren as heirlooms - and a rattan chair from Laos - one of three gifted to me and each of my two siblings from our grandparents. Lastly, I added in food/herbs and cooking vessels because food as an offering plays an essential role within ceremony and everyday life/relationships for Khmu and Iu Mien communities.
Ritual, 2023
The items in Ritual are used daily during my tea rituals/meditations. To start the ritual, I make two cups of tea, one for myself and one for my altar. I then light my candle and some incense, welcoming benevolent ancestors to some morning tea while I drink and reflect on all things and elements , human or nonhuman, that made that moment and cup of tea possible. This ritual helps me to practice gratitude for the mundane and for the guidance and protection of the ancestors, living and deceased, of the motherland and this current homeland.
The items in Ritual are used daily during my tea rituals/meditations. To start the ritual, I make two cups of tea, one for myself and one for my altar. I then light my candle and some incense, welcoming benevolent ancestors to some morning tea while I drink and reflect on all things and elements , human or nonhuman, that made that moment and cup of tea possible. This ritual helps me to practice gratitude for the mundane and for the guidance and protection of the ancestors, living and deceased, of the motherland and this current homeland.
The Setup
