Religious artefacts and objects of worship

The perspective and warmth of this image are what really caught my eye. That people's faces are not recognizable brings the focus to the candles. The sheer number of candles emphasizes the scale of this festival, and the warm tones they generate create a feeling of devotion, as well. I also appreciate seeing devotees' body language and gestures from an unusual angle.

The different elements of this image work together to create a beautifully chilly, somber landscape. The color palette really works well with the subject matter. I appreciate the muted tones and the ways the crosses naturally blend in, sprouting naturally from the ground.

I love the upward gesture of this photograph. Not only does it convey the significance of the cross as a religious artifact, but the significance of the person wearing it - someone who facilitates connection with a higher power. The photo also beautifully captures the child's sense of wonder and admiration.

I'm drawn to this image because of its setting. Normally we expect to find artifacts of worship in explicitly religious spaces, but here we find one in an art gallery. Are rituals of devotion confined to houses of worship, or can they take place in secular environments like this? Art is sacred.

I'm really drawn to the layers and textures here, as well as the symbolism they create. Bright new crosses are layered over old, drab, and deteriorating wood. Faith renews. My eye is also drawn to the peeling paint and the one small sliver of red brick visible in the upper left corner.

I really like the texture and detail of this image. The lichen adds a nice touch of color to the aging stone figure. There's also something compelling about witnessing the decay of the manmade statue, and the ways nature endures and reclaims.

The juxtaposition of pious gestures and a half-drunk bottle of alcohol here made me laugh. The image speaks well to the ways religious devotion intersects with everyday life. There also appears to be a large spider on the bottom of the shelf - a great bonus detail!

Striking layering and framing. It's fascinating that the Bible is still in tact even though everything before it has crumbled. That says something about the nature of faith. The muted colors work well to tie the image together, and the triangular windows add a nice bit of geometry and visual variety.

I love the perspective of this photograph. It really draws attention to the monk's gesture and connection with the bell, as well as how this artifact of worship is used. There's also a nice visual parallel between the shape of the bell and that of the monk's head covering.

Great silhouette. I like seeing the intersection of nature and religious iconography here. The muted color palette works well to emphasize the outlines of the bird and the star. I also appreciate the posture of the bird: it looks as though it's just about to take off and the star - and whatever religious power lies behind it - are providing momentum.

The body language and gender separation in this photograph are really striking. The men form form a tightly knit, reverent circle around the Etrog. Are women also permitted to handle this object of worship? I also love the layered composition and the lighting of this photograph. My eye immediately is drawn to the sacred fruit.

This is such a unique presentation of a Buddha figure. The cling wrap is creating a kind of sacred commercial shroud. I appreciate lighting and reflective details of this image, as well as the statement it seems to be making about the commodification of devotion and belief.

This image is wonderfully playful! I love seeing the interactions of the monkeys against the backdrop of religious statuary. It's almost as if they themselves are using the Buddha statues - and the lotus flowers - in their own form of religious devotion. Interconnectedness is an important part of Buddhism, and it comes across here.

Stunning photograph. I love the way the entire image glows yellow, similar to the candle. The photograph itself feels like an artifact of worship and devotion, and it conveys warmth and hope. On a more technical note, I appreciate the photo's framing and composition. It draws us directly to the flame, and to the intensity of the young woman's concentration.