My newest project represents a continuation of my feminist art theme - my protest art, or "angry art," if you will. Drawing from a conversation I had with a friend, I created an image of a girl both under attack - and protecting herself from said attack - and fighting back. When women and girls (obviously others are affected as well, but this piece and my theme in general is made to focus on the negative aspect of the female experience) fall victim to sexual assault, many do not come forward to protect themselves, because of how pervasive rape culture is in this country and worldwide. If they do choose to come forward, they most often face degrading verbal, sometimes physical, attacks from doubters or rape sympathizers.
The black storm of words surrounding the survivor in the bottom left corner represents the things female victims of sexual assault have either heard or fear they will hear. The larger words represent the general public, while the smaller and closer-to-the-girl words come from the assaulter. The girl has burst through her own shield (which says "NO" over and over around the border; her attempted defense) with two of the hands, the ones that are fighting back and getting straight to the point. The other two hands are up to protect herself from the attacks, as the "NO" shield often fails to work. While the background is (well, will be) fully black, the negative space around the girl is white, to represent her purity as she is not the one at fault. The words around her are lighter, as they are not only less hurtful but positive, and they come from her supporters who remind her that she is strong, she is brave, she is a fighter. The girl herself is done in shades of gray, as accusers in general expect that she is a morally ambiguous or impure person, but the color scheme is black and white - in the end, sexual assault is black and white. You either assaulted someone or you didn't; there is no in between. I originally had a title, but it may change to be more general once I finish up the piece today. I get it critiqued tomorrow, but I only have to finish up the main storm of words and mat it before then. I hope I can come up with a title soon; I don't want all of my art to be called "Untitled."
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AuthorMolly Goodman Archives
May 2019
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