“Exposed” is the most emotional piece I have ever created.
It began as a graceful neck design, but as I carved, it looked so vulnerable, so exposed, and the sculpture told me what I had to express.
Physically vulnerable, the throat holds one of our most powerful forces, our voice. The voice of the powerless causes the most fear in the hearts of those with the most power. “Don’t express. And especially-don’t tell.”
I thought of all who have been exposed, physically and emotionally, without their consent, and then told not to tell- the victims of sexual assault and abuse.
Especially for children and adolescents, whose brains are still developing, abuse permanently changes the way their brains grow. For most, their sense of safety is never the same as others. They live with imaginary targets on their backs that they try to rip off again and again.
I created this as a parent, as a social worker, and most importantly as a victim. I was a male 14 year old victim of sexual abuse from a non-relative. It was never my fault.
What should have been covered was exposed without my consent, and what should have been exposed was kept covered. The shame I carried for decades was not mine, it belonged to my predator abuser.
I share because I can. “Exposed” is dedicated to all the victims. It will never be available for sale.
