Letter Writing, Letter Burning – Compost Grief (EN)

This is a participatory letter-reading performance and letter-writing workshop. It creates a space where participants can transform loss into nurturing energy through letter writing, a burning ritual, and symbolic composting. The work is part of Grief Space, curated by Venus Jasper.

“The project began with my own grief as an immigrant, and expanded into a wider reflection on the griefs of our time: the pandemic, economic decline, wars such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. During a residency (Remal Lab 2024 in the Jordanian desert with artists from across the Global South—many with Palestinian heritage—), I realized the urgency of creating a shared space for grief.
Through letter-writing, performance, and ritual, I invite participants to confront what they are grieving, what they wish to grieve, and how grief might be composted—transformed rather than suppressed. This is both a personal healing practice and a collective act of resilience”

Jinxiao Zhou (周槿哮) is a Utrecht-based visual artist and educator whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, installation, performance, and writing. His work creates spaces for connection and contemplation, exploring themes of belonging, grief, and queer and immigrant identities. His paintings serve as emotional archives, while his installations and participatory projects foster community dialogue and care. Writing and letter-based practices are integral to his work, inviting personal reflection and shared narratives. As an educator, he supports LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, using his art to nurture understanding, empathy, and social interconnectedness.

This event took place during the festival in September 2025.