Leavings/Belongings is a durational project that amplifies the voice of the refugee and immigrant narrative. The work was made in collaboration with artist Harriet Bart and encompasses sculptures, text, photography, video, and performance.

Wu and Bart began Leavings/Belongings to call attention to the unique hardships endured by women, children, and men as they flee war, famine and face issues of resettlement. Since 2016, the artists have reached out to non-profit organizations to connect with refugee and immigrant communities in the artists’ respective geographic regions. Once connected, the pair host a series of workshops in which participants are invited to create “bundles” of brightly colored cloth. These bundles represent what is left behind in migration—home, family, possessions— and what may be carried for the future—survival, hope, dreams.

Fabric, old and new, from countries around the world and from our own shores have been gathered and donated to this project. As the bundles are finished, participants are asked to write a story or message on their bundle. Many write of their desires for peace, hope, and kindness. The bundles are part of their testimony. If they are willing, their stories are recorded and the participants are photographed with their bundles.

For this installation, the artists were invited by Open Avenues Foundation, New American Economies, and Hubweek Boston to exhibit Leavings/Belongings. Bart and Wu presented 500 Boston bundles in a 6’x 6’x 6’ cargo container.