In August 2022, I sent out a call for submissions asking people to write letters they couldn’t send. I received anonymous stories from all over the world, and exhibited the project at my September 2022 solo show, Just Because It Didn’t Happen Doesn’t Mean It Isn’t True.

The letters were printed on sheer cotton and painted over with a thermochromic paint I mixed myself. The medium is heat-sensitive, so the words would only appear if the viewer was close enough to touch them. They were hand-cut and displayed on the floor, inviting people to sit for a while and spend time with the letters and each other. Visitors were also given blue paper to write a letter themselves if they wished.

A million thanks to the Philomathean Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania for hosting and my dear friend Rema Hort for organizing!