Expressive Type Study
This project was an expressive type study that used unconventional materials to raise awareness about social issues. Some of these type studies also doubled as public service announcements. I feel that American society ignores discussions about rape and rape culture. Victims of rape are often silenced and marginalized in profound ways. Several pieces in this project focus on child sexual abuse-a particularly virulent form of violence.
For my expressive type study of the word “corruption,” I used bits of yellow string and black yarn because of the color combinations association with caution or danger.
For the word “genocide” I used black Play-Doh, red plastic lanyard string, and red glitter to simulate bloodshed and corpses.
For this study I used silver pipe cleaners against a pink foam background, which is intended to be reminiscent of grade-school art projects. I wanted to contrast the ugly, gravity of the subject and word (rape) with an innocent, and child-like aesthetic that would emotionally jar the viewer. I also incorporated statistics from the RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.)
Similarly, this eerie tension is echoed in this composition in my use of Play-Doh and polka dot paper.
Here I rendered steel wire to form the word “rape” and placed it upon a pile of shredded fabric. I wanted to simulate the hard, cold, weight of rape upon a victim. The cardboard background resembles flesh.
