Inspired by his experience on a study tour in Taiwan in 1970, Ron Ho explored his Chinese-American heritage in this autobiographical work. During the trip Ho visited a family compound—a large house with a walled courtyard. In the kitchen was the family altar. Sitting next to it, seemingly in equal reverence, was a large floor-model television set. This image made an impression that stayed with him. When creating a series featuring Chinese furniture, he decided to make an altar table with the TV set sitting among the offerings on the table. Fabricated in intricate detail, the altar table is adorned with offerings, fruits, red candles, thin joss sticks arranged in silver and copper vessels, and a television set. By juxtaposing these traditional elements of Chinese ancestor worship with an icon of American popular culture, he created a miniature tableau representing his merging of cultures. When worn, this pendant lands on one’s chest, close to the heart. A portable “home,” the piece allows its wearer to proclaim the importance of these two traditions co-existing in one space.

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