SECASA
The following paintings have been installed at SECASA - South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence. I cannot call it a donation in the true sense of the word because, from my perspective, it is untrue. Through SECASA, I was able to access therapy for three years, twice weekly, during a period I would not have otherwise survived. I then accessed services at CASA for a further two years once I moved to the city. These paintings I have been assisted with installing at SECASE are my way of giving back for all the help I received and could not afford to access.
Through art and documentaries on my ongoing recovery journey, I hope to spread empowering awareness of a very challenging reality that too many experience and suffer the effects of throughout the rest of their lives. I hope that people, galleries and organisations will support me in this cause or donate directly to SECASA and CASA in any way they can. It saves lives (someone’s mother, sister, daughter, partner, father, brother or son). I, for one, am here today because of their services and others that exist for people who have survived sexual abuse.
Growth
182.8cm x 121.8cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
Growth beyond the scars seen and unseen is possible.
Arise
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
Connection with our spirit and love of life arises stronger after the darkest of nights.
Confidence
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
You have everything it takes and more to take it one breath, step and day at a time.
Delicate
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
We are delicate as children, adolescents and adults. Things can and do hurt and negatively impact us. If they do, we discover that we can heal and find our profound strength with the proper support and environment.
Breathe
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
Always remember that all you need to do is focus on your breath when overwhelmed. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. When it’s possible to do more, that’s great. I find that holiding onto and looking at something solid also helps to ground. As do essential oils I have a positive association with.
Immortal
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
It can feel like it, but be assured that your spirit and your feeling of being alive in life cannot die. Nothing and no one can take that from you despite a connection with your spirit or soul, and life can take time to recover. It hasn’t gone. Even if it takes over two decades like it did for me, the essence of you is waiting the whole time for you to reconnect.
Reflection
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
May all the love, safety, and healing be reflected in you in all ways. It is over. To always remember that it’s over when triggered is hard and I found that telling the safe people around me to remind me by repeating until I calmed down that it’s over, their name, the year and my age. My location, that it’s safe and I’m surrounded by safe people that will get me safely home.”
Inner Healing
91.4cm x 60.9cm 4cm
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
The healing within takes time. Be patient with yourself and tolerate nothing but patience from anyone else. Validate how you feel every step of the way, and trust that it makes sense, even if it’s not immediately obvious or possible to put it to words. Like waves, the overwhelm will pass and inner healing will occur. Always remember to breathe. The feeling and distressing state always leaves. I find painting and safely moving that emotional energy out of me helps. For you, it might be a different form of constructive activity. For example, walking where I feel safe and going to the gym are two other helpful daily activities I still rely on.
Belonging
30.5cm x 40.6cm 4cm
Mixed media, 2024
You belong here and amongst safe people, places and communities that do exist. I hope it doesn’t take you as long as it did me to trust people, the world and life again.
Dreams
30.5cm x 40.6cm 4cm
Mixed media, 2024
In every and any way you can, it can help you to focus on what is in your power to make your dreams come true and remember the rest of your life is yours. This can help us through the hardest of times.
Journey
30.5cm x 40.6cm 4cm
Mixed media, 2024
On this healing journey, like on this life journey, you are not alone. People are here to support you, and people have gone through this healing process before. I wish someone had told me when I was at SECASA that it was possible to experience life as I have found ways to now, which is why I have done this. So you know, you are in no way alone in what you are going through, and the journey does get easier to bear with each step.
Transition
30.5cm x 40.6cm 4cm
Mixed media, 2024
While we will never be the same as we were before, we do transition into more of who we are and what we can overcome by the journey it takes to recover from what no human being should ever have to.