Migrant mourning, 6' x2' x 1.8'

wood, screws, plaster, candle, roses

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Εικονοστάσι, commonly referred to in English as a "wayside shrine", are small altars on the side of roads. They usually serve one of two purposes; an offering to God after a near death experience, or a shrine to honor, remember and mourn someone that lost their life on the road. They are a very common sight that can be found all around Greece, in the streets of the city but also on the side of highways. They often have holy pictures, flowers and candles for people to light. 

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This sculpture honours my grandfather and his recent passing, as well as Greek traditions. As a migrant in the US, mourning from a distance can be a complex experience. Coming to terms with the passing of time can be especially hard; how can you comprehend the absence of someone when you aren't there to experience it? And once you do, how do you mourn in a place where death is a taboo? 

This shrine is a piece of my home, installed on the side of the road next to my apartment in Brookline, Boston. It is a bridge between my two realities, a space that allows me to live both in Boston, and Thessaloniki at the same time. 

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