Acolyte (2023)
Acolyte (2023) is a personal re-interpretation of the Bible inspired by notions of gender and race through cognitive dissonance. Growing up in a predominantly Christian community instilled exclusive practices in my life. Religious communities often discourage each other from questioning their established values as a means to preserve control and order. Within the last few years, I found myself critiquing historical depictions of biblical characters, which has caused controversy within the Christian faith for many. Is God a man? Did they have fair skin? Did they present themselves in human form? This photographic series allows me to explore the image of God, how I perceive my idols, and reveals the deep connections between spirituality, art, and the human experience. These portraits demand the viewer to admire, but begs the question: if God looks like these individuals, would we continue to light the candle?
