- This is what it feels like -

breaking taboos and dark periods  through art

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Entry for the Exposition Niffo Galerie, Recycle Studio en Float Rotterdam

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April/May 2022

40x50 Acryl-Indian Ink-Oil pastel on paper

Raising awareness for sexual assault

It is estimated that approximately 35% of women worldwide have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. Rape is an unlawful act. Accurate statistics regarding rape are notoriously difficult to obtain. The biggest complication is that most victims of sexual violence choose not to report it. While the majority of sexual assault victims are female, males around the world also experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape every day. Transgender people and those with disabilities are twice as likely to be victims of sexual assault or rape. 70% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.

 Something that’s incredibly violent suddenly becomes sort of ordinary, people don’t talk about it as violence. The artist focuses on violence and helps to uncover a fuller picture of sexual aggression and victimization. And the lasting effect it has on survivors. When forming a more complete and accurate narrative, a survivor should not use the words “I was raped”. But use appropriate and effective language, and put the responsibility where it belongs: “that person raped me”.The artist expresses art to help survivors to use their voice against injustice, and continues to raise sexual violence awareness.

Pinned to the spot. Frozen.

With a two ton brick heart.

The cardiac muscle tightens, paralized

Venom spits across limbs and mouth.

Mud an puss fill the body till the vomit drips from the stomach.

And puke and blood boils from every vain.

Screaming. Hating. Clinging to sanity. Lungs raw. Throat black. 

Carved like an animal.

Sucking the bones and the flesh of her rotten body.

The storm that pounds her brain. Until her soul leaves her unbearable body. 

And the sound of her frozen voice sings into the ashes.

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