To Be A Statistic

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

This piece of work has probably been the most vulnerable piece I’ve made so far in my artistic journey. It’s personal, uncomfortable, and frankly it was difficult to go back to and think about those memories. Which might be hard for others to view as well so here’s my trigger warning for things relating to rape and sexual assault.

Rape culture is in its prime, well it’s kind of always been in its prime, but a shed of light is finally beaming down onto it. Yet, it’s still very much prominent in our society. I’ve been affected by it personally and I’ve witnessed it with peers, friends, and even strangers. The over sexualization and bluntly blaming women for the harm done to them is pretty horrific. Also, the backlash they face, and what I faced, when we finally speak up about what happen isn’t always supportive. People don’t like hearing the truth that their friend or son has done something at such a disgusting degree. And I know I’m talking like this can’t happen to men, when it very much can and does happen to them, this art piece is about my experience. When I finally spoke up my assault, I was met with comments like I’m lying, he’s a good guy it was a misunderstanding, what happen to me was completely fine; which is my personal favorite because what the actual fuck do you mean by that?!?!

I wanted to make this art as an outlet for myself but to also tell people that even through all the bullshit comments that make you question yourself and what you went through, there is still someone here that believes you. Speaking out about what had happened to me felt like the worst thing I could do but it brought me some closure. It weeded out people who shouldn’t be my friends and showed me who really has my back. And I learned that I wasn’t his only victim, which in some twisted way put to rest the idea that I could have been overreacting. It showed me that my reaction was normal for what happened and led me to be a lot kinder with myself and to realize it was never my fault.

Presenting Author Name/s

Holly Castle

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Brendan Baylor

College Affiliation

College of Arts & Letters

Presentation Type

Artwork

Disciplines

Printmaking

Session Title

Art Exhibit

Location

Learning Commons @ Perry Library

Start Date

3-19-2022 9:15 AM

End Date

3-19-2022 11:00 AM

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Mar 19th, 9:15 AM Mar 19th, 11:00 AM

To Be A Statistic

Learning Commons @ Perry Library

This piece of work has probably been the most vulnerable piece I’ve made so far in my artistic journey. It’s personal, uncomfortable, and frankly it was difficult to go back to and think about those memories. Which might be hard for others to view as well so here’s my trigger warning for things relating to rape and sexual assault.

Rape culture is in its prime, well it’s kind of always been in its prime, but a shed of light is finally beaming down onto it. Yet, it’s still very much prominent in our society. I’ve been affected by it personally and I’ve witnessed it with peers, friends, and even strangers. The over sexualization and bluntly blaming women for the harm done to them is pretty horrific. Also, the backlash they face, and what I faced, when we finally speak up about what happen isn’t always supportive. People don’t like hearing the truth that their friend or son has done something at such a disgusting degree. And I know I’m talking like this can’t happen to men, when it very much can and does happen to them, this art piece is about my experience. When I finally spoke up my assault, I was met with comments like I’m lying, he’s a good guy it was a misunderstanding, what happen to me was completely fine; which is my personal favorite because what the actual fuck do you mean by that?!?!

I wanted to make this art as an outlet for myself but to also tell people that even through all the bullshit comments that make you question yourself and what you went through, there is still someone here that believes you. Speaking out about what had happened to me felt like the worst thing I could do but it brought me some closure. It weeded out people who shouldn’t be my friends and showed me who really has my back. And I learned that I wasn’t his only victim, which in some twisted way put to rest the idea that I could have been overreacting. It showed me that my reaction was normal for what happened and led me to be a lot kinder with myself and to realize it was never my fault.