CHRISTINE CAPRIOLO

My series was inspired by the public responses to the Christine Blasey Ford–Brett Kavanaugh sexual assault hearing. Particularly, Donald Trump remarked that the national reaction to the sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh made it “a very scary time for young men in America.”

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In response to Trump’s “scary time for young men” comment, Lynzy Lab, a performance artist, wrote and performed a song highlighting the many unwritten rules women must follow daily to stay safe. I took some of her song lyrics and other phrases I collected that illustrate women’s constant battle to safeguard themselves from sexual harassment, assault and violence. Many of the phrases I used came from a study by Jackson Katz, author of the book The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help. Katz is a social researcher who has asked men and women what they do daily to prevent getting sexually assaulted. The difference between the men’s responses and women’s responses is eye-opening.

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In my series of 30 pieces, I combined paper, collage, stencils, paint, ink and metal. I wanted each piece to include a female form and text that represented  my idea. I started by cutting shapes out of metal and creating backgrounds independent of one another. I then paired metal pieces with backgrounds and stamped phrases into the metal. As I worked, I emphasized the juxtaposition that women, while held up as objects of beauty, constantly struggle to be safe from abuse. I wanted viewers to see the delicate silhouettes first—and then, after looking closer, read the text that reveals women’s thoughts about protecting themselves.

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– Christine Capriolo, artist