Shrine to Success

5 Drawings
2022

While her own Buddhist mother worshipped daily at the ancestor altar, my mother instead reveres material goods, and has created a shrine of aspirational objects that has remained unchanged for over 15 years. This stubbornly symmetrical home office is outfitted with a candle chandelier purchased for around 100 dollars from a liquidation sale, office furniture from Costco, and an unused iMac, circa 2010. Baseboards, wall trim, crown moulding, and a pair of French doors were all installed by my father at my mother’s direction. My childhood photos and awards, and university diplomas are assigned to one side of the room while similar paraphernalia of achievements belonging to my sister are mirrored on the other side. 

I carefully measured and then drew the elements of the office in AutoCAD, screenprinting the plans and elevations in tribute to my father’s handiwork (his jobs have always involved the use of his hands) and my mother’s high hopes (or unquenchable desires). Their office shrine is an architectural relic that elicits wistfulness and reminds us of unattained goals: “If I had the chance, I would have studied architecture just like you!” and “It’s never too late to get that law degree!”