"Inner Turmoil." 15 inches by 27 inches.
A traumatic incident from my childhood, at the age of 10, inspired this textile piece. On a bright March "kite day" in Oklahoma, I went to get water in our school building during the event and encountered a man who accosted me. I spent years believing my disability, Spina Bifida, caused this violation, leading to deep self-blame.
The ghost-like spine images on raw silk symbolize my fears that this might be true. The female figures reflect my wish that my body didn’t exist at that time; I believed that without Spina Bifida, this somehow wouldn’t have happened. This piece may make viewers uncomfortable, but it emphasizes the harsh reality of abuse faced by individuals and the profound shame that can accompany such experiences. It also sheds light on the experiences that people with disabilities may face.
