The majority of the works featured here are drawn from the Fowler Museum's collection at UCLA.

Some of these works may be described as 'devotional,' 'religious,' or 'sacred,' while others hold 'spirited' significance tied to the identity and well-being of individuals and communities. While some were created for devotional practices and used in sacred or religious spaces, others were produced for the art market or museum display.

For materials of a sacred or religious nature, we acknowledge the profound rupture that occurs when they are removed from their original contexts and communities. Stripped of their intended functions, these works are often commodified as art, displayed in museums, or placed in vitrines—separated from their original purpose and meaning. While a digital presentation cannot resolve this disconnection, we aim to foster critical conversations about the care, display, and, in some cases, the ownership of these materials.

At its heart, this project is about materiality and people in relationship. We look beyond dates and doctrines to share narratives rooted in the sensory, spiritual, and social lives of objects—stories that reveal how these works continue to act in the world and in people’s lives.