Weiwen Balter

I started making books because I think the act of putting words and images to print has power, and I was sick of not seeing books written by, or portraying people like me; Queer and Trans, Disabled, Orphaned People of Color. The books I create range from 8 page zines, to books made from incense ash, acrylic paint and paper, to the watercolor journal I am submitting to this exhibition, titled A Survivor's Guide to Practicing Love. They are all born from a desire to speak to the world directly, as though we are in a one on one conversation. My books are made to be flipped through, engaged with, and spoken back to.

A Survivor's Guide to Practicing Love chronicles the time I broke contact with my family of origin, while navigating untreated and undiagnosed mental and physical illness. It captures a feeling I think many people share, and I’m hoping someone will encounter this object and feel seen, heard, and held.

A Survivor's Guide to Practicing Love
Mixed media watercolor, ink, incense ash, glitter, tobacco
3.5 x 5.5 • 2016 • NFS