It's really hard when you read literature in a language that's not your own. There are all these cultural references you have to be born into that particular language to get.

It's like you're organically developing yourself, moving out, metamorphosing into other forms depending on where you are, what you're doing at the time, how you want to play on things.

There are multiple things entering in your mind.

I'm also developing my own narrative, because I'm the son of a widow. And so, while working with women and gathering their oral histories, I'm taking a step back to do my own art book and visual work.

For me, the more I understand the story of others, the greater I am able to learn and help other people.

This is my first collaboration [with Mary Hamill] so I'm going to learn how it's going to work.

I thought of the pillowcases as a symbol of love and loss, of retaining the memory of your loved one.