Acceptance - Reflection of the Storm

Alexandra Cumiskey, Acceptance - Reflection of the Storm series, 2021.

3' x 4'

Oil on canvas

This oil painting series is about the key theme of different stages and struggles that a sexual assault victim is confronted with. The artist’s reasoning behind the topic of sexual assault is due to the stigma that surrounds sexual assault as makes it difficult for individuals to seek help and cope with their situation, leading to forms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and so on. Although there has been improvement in erasing the ‘shame’ factor in modern-day society, there are still individuals who are unable to speak up about their experiences and feel alone in their journey towards recovery. Highlighting this particular topic will provide other victims with hope, to let them know that they are not alone and that there are others who are able to relate to what they have experienced, developing awareness and a community.

The medium used was oil paint, which the artist has been experienced in for four years. The oil paint allowed for the artist to provide depth and vibrant colours to this piece in order to fully grasp the emotions depicted in the piece.

The title of this series, Reflection of the Storm, was chosen due to the artist reflecting on her own experience with sexual assault. Reminding herself of the storm that once occurred in her own life, but it also provides hope to other victims that storms do pass, things will get better. Each piece references the actual event of being sexually assaulted in an authentic yet figurative depiction. Focusing more on the actual emotions and thoughts that would transpire in a victim’s mind along with the physical feelings that accompany it. The three pieces will explore different stages of grief including: Shock, depression, and acceptance.

If an audience member has not experienced a form of sexual assault, it is very important to the artist that one is able to understand and experience the grief and trauma a victim goes through. It is also a significant aspect that this series allows for a viewer to self-reflect on their own past and resonate with the feelings presented within the final body of work.

Although the series was inspired by sexual assault, the artist’s intention behind the work was to provide a figurative representation of the occurrence in order to explore a unique and daunting aspect to each piece in this series. The artist has a motivation to administer a personal experience for each viewer, as most people have experienced some form of grief or upsetting event that has left them feeling lost or scared. The goal for the series is to allow individuals to bring light to their past or current fears and trauma and allow people to understand that they are not alone.