Opening Paragraph:
In today’s world, tolerance and forbearance often seem in short supply—especially among the passionate proponents of various religious traditions. Let me be clear: I am not advocating for an ecumenical “mush” that dissolves the unique essence of each tradition just to make them neatly align. Rather, I’m suggesting that by focusing on what we share, we might begin to smile at one another rather than take aim. As the Dalai Lama wisely puts it, “I look at every human being from a positive angle; I try to look for their positive aspects. This attitude immediately creates a feeling of affinity, a kind of connectedness.”
Main Body:
This sentiment mirrors the heart of my artistic approach. Just as the Dalai Lama seeks the goodness in people, I search for the beauty and wisdom that reside within different religious traditions. While I am rooted in Christianity, I find that engaging with other traditions often provides new and illuminating insights into my own faith.
My artwork serves as a visual exploration of these overlapping threads—a tapestry of shared spiritual yearning. At its core, my work is an expression of the timeless “Spiritual Quest”: the deeply human search for meaning, connection, and fulfillment. Across centuries and cultures, mythic stories and religious symbols have guided us in this search, and my goal is to visually represent the resonance between them.
Closing Thought:
When we allow ourselves to look beyond our own traditions—not to abandon them, but to enrich them—we find not dilution, but depth. A smile across spiritual borders is worth far more than a wall built in defense.
