It is a meditative reflection on the dichotomy between faith and self-awareness. Beginning from the artist’s childhood exposure to both Christianity and local folklore, he dives into a contemplative journey of his spiritual growth through the exploration of protective symbols throughout his life.

The artist presents a unique perspective on the functions of protective charms in Chinese traditions and Western belief systems – highlighting the nuances between the mysticism and practicality of folklore and religion. The piece welds together the unique and delicate shape of the Chinese pomelo leaf to form a cross, blending the protective symbols of both worlds in an organic manner. The pronounced hollow interior conveys the ephemeral space we wish to fill with our beliefs, encased in a glorified structure of gold which symbolizes the seemingly impenetrable marks of faith. This sentiment is further explored in the artist’s use of brass leaves; a naturally oxidizing element that changes with time. The leaves’ silver connectors accentuate the contrasting yet symbiotic bond of the artist’s multi-cultural upbringing and the evolving narrative of his own beliefs. This emotive design illustrates the balance between both regional and ancient constructs of faith, inviting us to question the nature of protective symbols, what it means to “believe” and how those beliefs form the values in which we live by.