RECLAIM/RESTORE is a response to my upbringing as a southern, Christian, pastor’s daughter, and takes many visual forms. Through the creation process I navigate the complexities of being raised within purity culture, healing from sexual trauma, and reacting to spiritual and physical abuse within the church.
Using frameworks provided by trauma theorists and feminist artists, I am working towards reclaiming my own power through artistic creation. While creating, I wrestle with how to visualize the complex ways I try to make sense of my own mind. I simultaneously value and question the ideals I was taught to believe – and attempt to create artwork that honors my spirituality while acknowledging the reality of religious trauma.
I feel validated and affirmed by reading trauma theorists explain that my healing and processing will be irregular; in my artwork I use a variety of mediums to visualize diverse aspects of trauma and healing.