The Epitaph Series

Since ancient times, carving text into clay and stone has been a way to commemorate events, preserve beliefs, and memorialize the dead. In her Epitaph series, Chang applies equal reverence to select handwritten responses from visitors to her participatory installations. Building up extensive layers of paper and gesso on canvas, Chang deliberately eschews technology in favor of sculpting the surface and carving each letterform by hand, which becomes a month-long ritual that honors the unknown author of each sentence.