DAWN ALBUQUERQUE

Stagnation, 2022

pencil on paper, ceramic and nuno felting 2280 x 630 x 40 cm

Stagnation reflects on the lingering effects of sexual assault which caused disconnection from myself and my body. To convey this, I have created an artwork depicting myself as Medusa, a victim of sexual assault whose story was vilified throughout history. My artwork explores the emotional turmoil felt after such a harrowing experience. Often, one can lose themselves and create new perceptions of one’s own identity.

I aim to make the audience uncomfortable when viewing this piece, to echo a suffocating silence and overwhelm that is felt after experiencing an event in which you lose all sense of control.