ARTIST STATEMENT

These artworks reflect an interesting time in my life.

From 2011 -2026, I contemplated getting a graduate education. I went to Divinity school to get my Master of Divinity in Buddhist Chaplaincy. I took vows and ordained as a Buddhist pastor.

Through various American presidents, a worldwide pandemic, the dying and death of my mother, I prayed, meditated and hoped for a better world and a better me.

I recently left pastoral life, releasing my vows and my ordination. It’s strange seeing these paintings and photographs from that time as they seem to reflect a complex and personal journey.

Starting with Ann in Yellow from 2011, she’s an uncentered person with lots of space beside her. Later, my meditation paintings came into play, exploring stillness in an upended world. Through it all, I couldn’t hide my gayness, as I focused mostly on the male form.

I created work of spiritual people and places. This was a “Divine Time” for me, one that explores themes of a spiritual life: reflection, confusion, wonder, loneliness, desire, solitude and joy.

Noel Alumit
2026