Melissa's Shrine-  RISD European Honors Program Artist Residency

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When in Rome, I was fascinated by the catholic iconography in the many chapels that graced my presence. Christianity was omnipresent, which is understandable given that the majority of the Italian population is Christian. I was blessed to live in the "Jewish ghetto" region of Rome, and stumbled across the one historic synagogue in Rome, Italy. I started to question the presence and need for religion in our lives, and my life in particular. What draws people to certain beliefs and aspects of religion? Is morality what breeds good human beings and lives? Religion is personal. Growing up Jewish and Taiwanese, I was exposed to a diverse range of Eastern and Western religions, with a curiosity to learn more.

 

I am questioning existence at this very moment in time and how we should interpret these sets of strongly-held beliefs. What parts of religion should we question and interrogate? Can we pick and choose different aspects of different religions we agree and disagree with? All that questioning is exactly the reason why I built my personal shrine. It includes Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian iconography placed on top of an abstract expressionist backdrop, a strangely intentional pairing considering my need to stylistically express myself as an artist and what I believe in. I am fond of the use of icons and symbols to accessibly and effectively depict religious scripture in a nonjudgemental, easily communicable, and expressive way. As an artist, I always question. I question where east and west converge and where they depart and place them physically in proximity and apart from each other. I decide which aspects of religion I admire and what I choose to believe, ultimately bringing my shrine and personal place of worship to life that highlights various aspects of different belief systems.

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