The artwork portrays the act of carrying opposites—an essential aspect of building a family when both partners come from different cultural backgrounds.

Artist Hodaya Simon writes:
“In my work, I chose to explore the farewell from my father’s home in order to meet my partner—a meeting that brought with it a whole world of new experiences, along with a longing for familiar tastes, smells, and sounds.

At the center of the piece is the moment of giving the ring under the chuppah—a moment where everything converges: the past, the present, and the future. It is a moment that connects worlds and creates life.

The mandala reflects the vibrant colors that emerge from the blend of the human fabric of my husband’s and my origins: Yemen and Cochin, India.”