In my artwork, I drew a snake wrapped around an anatomical heart and used the text “shame on me.” My piece is meant to focus on sexual violence and the effect it has on its victims. The snake represents Medusa, while the heart represents the victims. I wanted to portray Medusa as she is often interpreted as a symbol of threat and destruction. Society has reclaimed the image of Medusa through artwork, as Medusa has become a symbol of survival. More specifically, surviving different forms of sexual violence. As empowering as it is that we have reclaimed the image of Medusa, many victims sadly continue to feel at fault for their traumatic experiences, which is why I included the text “shame on me.” I feel that countless victims tend to blame themselves, as they may feel ashamed for experiencing such horrendous acts of violence. It is essential to raise more awareness around sexual violence and the effect it has on victims from not only a physical perspective but also from a psychological and mental perspective. We must continue to highlight resources and provide safe spaces for victims of sexual violence.
