Dearest
about the project
Dearest is a community art project which encouraged connection through creative snail-mail during the spring and summer of 2020. Participants received a pack of pre-stamped postcards in the mail, which could be filled out with messages and mailed on to dear ones.
This project responds to experiences of loneliness, grief, and isolation that accompanied pandemic lock-downs. In circumstances where many of us sought new ways to express our love and care for our community, snail mail offered a playful and reassuringly tangible opportunity.
Dearest culminated in a public art exhibition at Landsedown skytrain station in Richmond BC. During the design process for this public art installation, I reconnected with Dearest participants to gather the words they chose to send and learn more about their experience with the project. Using this input, I filled in the notes in each bird’s beak with a word that was mailed to a loved one. Each word included in the final piece is both a record of a personal correspondence and a public wish extending to all passers-by.
This project responds to experiences of loneliness, grief, and isolation that accompanied pandemic lock-downs. In circumstances where many of us sought new ways to express our love and care for our community, snail mail offered a playful and reassuringly tangible opportunity.
Dearest culminated in a public art exhibition at Landsedown skytrain station in Richmond BC. During the design process for this public art installation, I reconnected with Dearest participants to gather the words they chose to send and learn more about their experience with the project. Using this input, I filled in the notes in each bird’s beak with a word that was mailed to a loved one. Each word included in the final piece is both a record of a personal correspondence and a public wish extending to all passers-by.
Dearest is a community art projects commissioned by the City of Richmond as part of Richmond Has Heart Public Art Initiative.