Grace Cathedral

Mixed Media, 2020
20 x 24″ (each)

In the aftermath of the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco endured widespread destruction, including the loss of the W. H. Crocker mansion, which once stood on the site of Grace Cathedral. In an act of generosity, the Crocker family donated the remnants of their burned mansion to the Diocese of California, who would later construct a French Gothic-style cathedral on the same grounds. Spanning from 1927 to 1964, the construction utilized large amounts of raw concrete and steel, meticulously engineered to withstand the harshest earthquakes and fires.

Through this painting series, I sought to portray the many shades of San Francisco’s character intertwined with the splendor of Grace Cathedral. Inspired by Claude Monet’s masterpieces depicting the Rouen Cathedral in Rouen Normandy, I embarked on a similar journey of artistic experimentation and over the course of two years, immersed myself in the essence of this iconic church, capturing its emotive and chamelion-like changes seen from the perspective of 8am, 1pm, and 5pm (left to right).