Communion

When visiting Italy to see my maternal family, we would often explore churches, from local chapels to grand cathedrals. I always thought of these churches as old bones–fossils of creatures which had once been vibrant and alive. Although they may no longer hold the same meaning for everyone, they still carry a powerful presence. This piece embodies that concept, using the snake head fossil as a metaphor for a church.
The contrast of the dull outside to the glamorous, intricate inside reflects the dual nature of many churches I have seen. The mural along the back of the 'church' echos back to the stained glass which is a central part of Catholic churches and represents their stories. Through this work, I wanted to capture the feeling of reverence these places hold, even as they grow old.