You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

This artist's book is inspired by my friendship with Fatima. The phrase "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" is one that I use often enough to notice as a pattern, especially when I'm getting to know someone. It serves to both make and give space. The poem found on the last page expands on this idea. 

Fatima and I were at her house a few months ago, before we both left for extended periods of travel, when I paused our conversation to grab my sketchbook and attempt to capture our poses: me sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch, her: perched on the arm of the same couch. It felt very us. 

I'm hoping this artwork is the first of many in a new theme I've been thinking about. I don't quite have the language to speak about it in a satisfying way (give me a few months and a dozen market conversations) but it's all about the significance of friendship. I feel like, friendships have this place in Western society that comes after romantic partnership and family, and that doesn't sit quite right with me.