Sexual assault is a pervasive and ubiqutous problem in both Japan and the United States. The nature of the crime often leads victims to feel isolated and afraid. The narrative around sexual assault is more often about the life of the perpetrator and using that gaslight the victim. He is often removed of his responsibility for his actions.

As a victim of rape, I found myself trapped within a body that had been defiled and corrupted with no social discourse to be able to talk about it which is crucial to the healing process. I question the autonomy of my body and whether what was taken from me on March 15, 2016 was ever truly mine to begin with.

I offer my story in the form of this art in precise retaliation of the isolation inherent in life post-rape. I offer my own experience as a way to help other victims of sexual violence find me to begin their own process of healing. I hope by creating this work I will let anyone who is not ready, who is afraid, who doesn’t understand yet what happened to them I can give a little of my own experience, strength, hope as we navigate this amorphous, bloody, painful shape that is the healing process. I hope to be able to heal myself.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA

2014 MA in Fine Art from University of East London
2012 BFA cum laude in Drawing/Painting and Minor in Management from University of North Texas

The common thread between my work over the years has always been to try to create connections between humans.

Art, both consuming and creating, was the one of the only ways I was able to create a safe semblance of connection to other people for many years because I didn’t yet know how to create healthy intimate connections in my day to day life.

I create now in the hopes to give someone else a safe haven to feel the presence of others until they are are able to find those connections in their day to day life as well.

The shoulders I stand upon to create are strong and full of history. I provide my own shoulders to lift up others should they wish to use them.