Creating Historical Family Altars
January 8, 2025 11:06 pm
Transforming “Ottillie’s Basket” into an Altar of Journeys
After my parents’ passing, I found myself drawn to creating historical family altars. The memorabilia from Ottillie’s Basket, a treasured family heirloom, was the perfect place to begin creating them. What began as a simple arrangement of items soon became much more—a sacred altar embodying the spirit of our family’s past. Each object within the basket represented a fragment of our story, turning it into a living narrative that connected us to our ancestors and to one another.
This sacred vessel for creating historical family altars was more than just a collection of physical belongings. It symbolized resilience, hope, and dreams, serving as a bridge between the past, present, and future. As I worked, I realized I wasn’t just organizing keepsakes—I was weaving together our family narrative into a symbolic vessel. Little did I know, Ottillie’s Basket would become the foundation for exploring my family history, spiritual journey, and artistic expression.
Inspired by Faith: Crafting My Own Iconostasis
Once Ottillie’s Basket was complete, my creative journey took a new direction. Drawing inspiration from my Greek grandmother’s iconostasis—a small religious shrine she prayed to daily—I decided to craft one of my own. Using elements like bees’ combs wrapped around the Christ figure and LED lighting to create an ethereal glow, I sought to capture the transcendent essence of this spiritual art form.
I didn’t anticipate how my “creating historical family altars” project would deepen my connection to my family’s history and faith. The iconostasis became a powerful expression of spirituality, tying together my grandmother’s devotion with my personal creative exploration. This piece, like Ottillie’s Basket, was a reflection of my evolving relationship with faith, art, and identity.
Answering the Call: Creating an Ofrenda for the DIA
After completing Ottillie’s Basket and the Iconostasis, I was presented with an extraordinary opportunity: to create an altar for the Ofrendas 2024 exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The creating of this historical family altar would allow me to incorporate both pieces into a larger shrine of memory, history, and faith.
At first, I was hesitant to accept the call. My spiritual background left me unfamiliar with Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions, and some of the associated symbolism—like skulls—felt uncomfortable to me. I worried that participating might conflict with my spiritual principles or feel inauthentic.
However, as I learned more about the tradition and its intent, I discovered a profound connection. Día de Muertos, like my own work, celebrates love, memory, and honoring the deceased. Setting aside my initial judgments, I embraced the opportunity to explore new cultural symbolism while incorporating my own beliefs and traditions. It was my ultimate challenge for creating historical family altars.
Building a Cross-Cultural Altar of Remembrance
For the Ofrendas 2024 exhibition, my final altar combined elements from Ottillie’s Basket, my grandmother’s iconostasis, and traditional ofrenda symbolism. Marigolds, candles, photos, skulls, butterflies, perforated paper, bread, water, salt, grapes, wine, and prayer beads blended seamlessly with my family memorabilia. Each item told a story, weaving together Greek, family, and Día de Muertos traditions.
By including these elements, I created a shrine that celebrated love, honored the deceased, and explored the intersections of faith and culture. This “creating historical family altars” project allowed me to discover shared connections between traditions, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ways we honor memory and spirituality across cultures.
A Journey of Love and Connection
Participating in Ofrendas 2024 has been a transformative experience. It has strengthened my faith in spiritual expression, in myself, and in others. Through this process, I’ve learned that seemingly disparate traditions can find common ground in the shared human desire to honor our loved ones and connect with our histories.
My altar is more than an artistic piece—it’s a tangible reminder of the power of love, memory, and creativity. By combining elements from Ottillie’s Basket, my grandmother’s iconostasis, and traditional ofrendas, I’ve created a shrine that bridges cultural and spiritual divides. This act of remembrance has helped me better understand my own journey and celebrate the beauty of honoring the past in meaningful ways.
Creating historical family altars has been a journey of embracing the liminal space between past and present, tradition and innovation. These altars allow me to honor my ancestors while exploring the evolving narratives of faith, memory, and cultural expression. In this sacred act of creation, I find a place where history and spirituality converge, offering a deeper understanding of who I am and the connections that shape my identity. Through this liminality, I celebrate the enduring power of remembrance and the beauty of crafting stories that bridge time and space.