A Signal to the Gods (2025)
Votive offerings: Symbols of protection - Across cultures and throughout history, humans have created and carried talismans and symbols to ward off forces beyond their control: illness, misfortune, danger, the unknown. These protective signs appear in every corner of the world, forming a shared language of hope and resilience that transcends borders and generations.
This practice, passed down through time, links us to the lives of those who came before. It reflects a universal need: to find meaning and agency in the face of the unpredictable. In a world where threats often feel abstract and where our lives are increasingly digital, the simplicity and tangibility of a protective symbol is comforting.
As these traditions evolve, so too do the symbols. They shift in form, adapting to the beliefs and aesthetics of the time, yet the underlying purpose remains constant. The Roman wheat sheaf, once a reference to Ceres, goddess of agriculture, later transforms into a Christian symbol, the bread of life, or becomes the palm frond laid before Christ. The visual language changes, but the protective intention stays.
At its heart, the protective symbol is a bridge, connecting us to something greater than ourselves. It may represent ancestral wisdom, cultural identity, communal strength, or belief in a higher power. These symbols serve not only as shields, but also as reminders of who we are, what we value, and what we seek to preserve.
These symbolic gifts were often given to a deity, spirit, or higher power through votive offerings. They were left at altars, temples, or other sacred places, spaces believed to hold spiritual or cultural significance. A votive offering becomes a physical commitment, a gesture of hope, protection, and continuity that travels across time. The act of creating or inscribing such a symbol is more than decoration; it is a declaration.
A Signal to the Gods (2025) was a collaborative project which brought together a diverse creative team and volunteers. I would like to thank everyone for their creativity, enthusiasm and belief in the project.