This project looks into the intricate relationship between the written word and human emotion, exploring themes of intimacy, secrecy, and confession through lithographic print. By focusing on the letter—a form steeped in romantic history—I aim to reclaim the significance of personal correspondence in contemporary society. By re-printing the first love letter I ever wrote, I invite viewers to reflect on the layers of meaning and honesty embedded in language and labour. How do we fluctuate between being transparent and being opaque in our words and in ourselves? How do we test these boundaries?

Each letter captures the essence of suspension as a profound vessel for emotional weight. The project emphasizes that what may seem mundane can be a powerful way of expressing vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. In an experimental exchange between artist and viewer, only those that purchase the letter will be able to see its contents, challenging the traditionally unpaid nature of emotional/care work. In a capitalist society, how do we navigate between economies of market, care, and gift? What is asked of the viewer once they own or read the intimate exchange? Will the limestones or the viewers understand my labour of love?

This exploration brings attention to the tactile nature of ink on paper, evoking a sense of nostalgia and connection. Utilizing the epistolary form, traditionally employed by women as a vital means of auto-theoretical communication, I play with legibility. I play with the power dynamics between myself, the ink, the viewer, and the original recipient of the letter. The act of both writing a letter and reprinting it becomes a ritual of emotional release, transforming private thoughts into tangible ones. The First Love Letter I Ever Wrote is a tribute to the affective power of the written word. I invite us to acknowledge the beauty found in tenderness and the profound connections that arise when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable.