Paper Prayers

2024 | Digital collage

These digital collages are inspired by a fascinating find we made during our holiday in Vietnam. While exploring a local market in Hoi An, we were offered a beautifully arranged package of colorful papers by one of the vendors. Intrigued by their designs, we decided to buy them and bring them home, though in the moment, we had no idea what they were.

It was only later, through conversations with locals and web searching, that we learned these papers are known as joss paper, incense papers, or spirit money. They hold deep cultural significance, traditionally used in rituals to honor ancestors and provide offerings in the afterlife. The act of burning these papers is a gesture of respect and connection, a way to ensure prosperity and comfort for loved ones who have passed. With this collage, I wanted to celebrate the layers of meaning behind these papers—both their spiritual purpose and their beautiful aesthetic.