More so than ever, our society is disconnected from the cultural stories that have shaped us into who we are. Whether that is a lack of understanding of our ancestor’s rituals or lack of awareness of our family’s journey from our land of origin, we have been trained to see our origin stories as optional and possibly irrelevant in deciding who we become. It can be liberating to engage with, rather than avoid, our traditions.  We can gain greater respect for one another when we can appreciate one another’s cultural story as complex.

The Jewish celebration of Passover involves remembering our collective identity – that our ancestors were slaves that received the gift of freedom. The meaning that is found in identifying with your cultural origin story leads to a greater degree of security within yourself: you can choose to receive or reject that tradition, rather than be unaware and still be unconsciously shaped by it. 

These artists from UCLA explore themes from their cultural and familial origin stories. Whether wrestling with the implications of their upbringing or grasping for perspective on their own traditions, their work invites us to explore our own origins. 

What is the story that you find yourself in?