Artist Statement
A headstone, three battered faces, and a tattered mouth, all in a set of five. These artworks were both wheel-thrown and hand-built to symbolize the everyday battle between LIFE or LOVE that victims of domestic violence confront. I doubt you ever imagined a strong woman like your mother, aunt, or grandmother falling into the hands of a monster. My mother has raised me my entire life, and no matter how difficult I am or what she is going through, she has never given up on me, and I am grateful to her for that. Though my mother has fought for me to ensure my success, she has not always been as strong. As a result, this is an issue near and dear to my heart.
My father physically and mentally assaulted my mother; I sometimes wish I hadn't been born because she would have had the power to flee. At other times, I wish I was old enough to understand her suffering. My mother was beaten mentally and physically every day, and the scars remain. She has always had this knife wound on her arm, and I recall wondering what had occurred when I was a young kid. I regret asking because that day provided the first piece of the puzzle which is my father's true identity. My dad would say things to her like “ You can’t do this without me” or “You can’t take care of the Child without me”, and she would believe it. To make matters worse, she was a child who didn't realize she was in danger because she never imagined the guy she loved, the father of her child, would want to kill her, but he did. Fortunately, my mother is one of the most brilliant individuals I've ever met, and she understood she had to get away from the hands constantly threatening her life. She came to the conclusion that the only way to survive was to kill the one thing that posed a threat to her existence, but he survived and was now after blood—her blood. If he hadn't been put in jail, my father would have murdered my mother.
My mother was much more fortunate than my aunt, Marquetta Yvonne Harris. My aunt was the light of the party, the sparkling star who came to brighten your day, a spirit so lovely and strong that you would never want to lose her. Unfortunately, her supposed significant other did not want to lose her either, so he broke into her home and murdered her. He professed to love her before murdering her, although he would do stuff like slap her with firearms, etc. She tried to flee, but the grim reaper stormed through her front door, just as everyone believed she was safe. He murdered her and her long-time friend while her two-year-old granddaughter was present.
Even after these heinous incidents, one of the most significant women in my life faces the same challenges. My grandma has always taken compassionate care of my entire family until a demon appeared a few years ago. Though he never beats her, his remarks such as "They don't care about you” or "I am the only one who cares about you or will do anything for you, you're nothing without me" impact her. Domestic violence includes not only physical abuse but also mental neglect. Most people associate domestic violence with being beaten so violently that you are either dead or hospitalized; yet, the worst occurrences of domestic abuse are those that leave your mind in disarray, inhibiting the growth that is the flowering beauty of your mind. Each flower in these pieces depicts the goals and dreams that victims of domestic violence believe they cannot achieve. Yet, in reality they should realize that they are the most determined and powerful people in the world, but unfortunately, they don't, so I have some advice.
To Mom, don't let these words or acts keep you from achieving your goals; you're 34 years old, with two bright children on track to become something in a country that wasn't designed for us to achieve; you're my inspiration and incentive to keep going; never doubt your abilities or skills, you are phenomenal.
To Auntie Quetta, I sometimes hurt because I am starting to forget your laugh and your voice, but I'll never forget the image of you lying lifeless in that casket, your face entirely transformed. I wish you had witnessed me receive the admission letter to AJC and continue to Trinity, but everyone said it was your time. I'm sorry we weren't able to defend you from your monster.
To Nana, I love you so much, you're my world, and if something happened to you, I'd never be able to live with the fact that I've seen your demon from the first day he walked through the door, from the first "Why do you care, you didn't even come out of her womb" he said to my mom, from the first nail in the tire or pine sol in the gas tank, from the isolation from your family. I generally hold back, but I don't want to end up like Auntie, and I don't want you to be on the verge of death because my mom escaped by chance, and my aunt had to die to escape, but you may not get as lucky as my mom. Please, Nana, I’m begging you to get out while you can, at least for me.
To all Domestic Violence victims, don't give up; you may believe you're battling for love, but you're fighting for your life, a fight that most don't win, and listen when onlookers try to help and get you out before it's too late.
To Domestic offenders, Why, why, why? Do you realize that everything you do, every mental jab, scar, black eye, busted lip, and gunshot, lasts forever and affects everyone around you?
A headstone, three battered faces, and a tattered mouth, all in a set of five. These artworks were both wheel-thrown and hand-built to symbolize the everyday battle between LIFE or LOVE that victims of domestic violence confront. I doubt you ever imagined a strong woman like your mother, aunt, or grandmother falling into the hands of a monster. My mother has raised me my entire life, and no matter how difficult I am or what she is going through, she has never given up on me, and I am grateful to her for that. Though my mother has fought for me to ensure my success, she has not always been as strong. As a result, this is an issue near and dear to my heart.
My father physically and mentally assaulted my mother; I sometimes wish I hadn't been born because she would have had the power to flee. At other times, I wish I was old enough to understand her suffering. My mother was beaten mentally and physically every day, and the scars remain. She has always had this knife wound on her arm, and I recall wondering what had occurred when I was a young kid. I regret asking because that day provided the first piece of the puzzle which is my father's true identity. My dad would say things to her like “ You can’t do this without me” or “You can’t take care of the Child without me”, and she would believe it. To make matters worse, she was a child who didn't realize she was in danger because she never imagined the guy she loved, the father of her child, would want to kill her, but he did. Fortunately, my mother is one of the most brilliant individuals I've ever met, and she understood she had to get away from the hands constantly threatening her life. She came to the conclusion that the only way to survive was to kill the one thing that posed a threat to her existence, but he survived and was now after blood—her blood. If he hadn't been put in jail, my father would have murdered my mother.
My mother was much more fortunate than my aunt, Marquetta Yvonne Harris. My aunt was the light of the party, the sparkling star who came to brighten your day, a spirit so lovely and strong that you would never want to lose her. Unfortunately, her supposed significant other did not want to lose her either, so he broke into her home and murdered her. He professed to love her before murdering her, although he would do stuff like slap her with firearms, etc. She tried to flee, but the grim reaper stormed through her front door, just as everyone believed she was safe. He murdered her and her long-time friend while her two-year-old granddaughter was present.
Even after these heinous incidents, one of the most significant women in my life faces the same challenges. My grandma has always taken compassionate care of my entire family until a demon appeared a few years ago. Though he never beats her, his remarks such as "They don't care about you” or "I am the only one who cares about you or will do anything for you, you're nothing without me" impact her. Domestic violence includes not only physical abuse but also mental neglect. Most people associate domestic violence with being beaten so violently that you are either dead or hospitalized; yet, the worst occurrences of domestic abuse are those that leave your mind in disarray, inhibiting the growth that is the flowering beauty of your mind. Each flower in these pieces depicts the goals and dreams that victims of domestic violence believe they cannot achieve. Yet, in reality they should realize that they are the most determined and powerful people in the world, but unfortunately, they don't, so I have some advice.
To Mom, don't let these words or acts keep you from achieving your goals; you're 34 years old, with two bright children on track to become something in a country that wasn't designed for us to achieve; you're my inspiration and incentive to keep going; never doubt your abilities or skills, you are phenomenal.
To Auntie Quetta, I sometimes hurt because I am starting to forget your laugh and your voice, but I'll never forget the image of you lying lifeless in that casket, your face entirely transformed. I wish you had witnessed me receive the admission letter to AJC and continue to Trinity, but everyone said it was your time. I'm sorry we weren't able to defend you from your monster.
To Nana, I love you so much, you're my world, and if something happened to you, I'd never be able to live with the fact that I've seen your demon from the first day he walked through the door, from the first "Why do you care, you didn't even come out of her womb" he said to my mom, from the first nail in the tire or pine sol in the gas tank, from the isolation from your family. I generally hold back, but I don't want to end up like Auntie, and I don't want you to be on the verge of death because my mom escaped by chance, and my aunt had to die to escape, but you may not get as lucky as my mom. Please, Nana, I’m begging you to get out while you can, at least for me.
To all Domestic Violence victims, don't give up; you may believe you're battling for love, but you're fighting for your life, a fight that most don't win, and listen when onlookers try to help and get you out before it's too late.
To Domestic offenders, Why, why, why? Do you realize that everything you do, every mental jab, scar, black eye, busted lip, and gunshot, lasts forever and affects everyone around you?