My ceramic piece, titled “The Melting Walls”, is a visual representation of the impact of child sexual abuse on the self and the world. It is a blocked building covered with white drips that melt the structure, symbolizing the erosion of identity and security that results from such a violation. The piece is inspired by my own experience of being molested by my father as a child, which affected every aspect of my life. I wanted to create a piece that speaks to the millions of survivors who share this painful history, as well as to the society that often ignores or silences their voices.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys are victims of child sexual abuse. This shockingly high number indicates a major public health issue worldwide, with serious and often debilitating long-term consequences for psychosocial development as well as physical and mental health. Child sexual abuse can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties, and many other problems.

 

My piece aims to capture the complexity and diversity of the survivor’s experience. The solid granite-like walls represent the walls we sometimes create within ourselves to cope with our trauma and to protect ourselves from further harm. But these walls are not impenetrable; they have holes in them that expose our vulnerability and fragility. They are also melting from the white ooze that covers the entire structure, suggesting the difficulty of maintaining a stable sense of self and reality in the face of overwhelming emotions and memories.

 

The isolated bottom corner of the structure depicts the location and act of my personal abuse. The dark, isolated room with a TV that played pornography, the pink ooze of the Johnson and Johnson pink baby lotion that was used to slide unwanted hands over my tiny body. This detail is meant to convey the horror and disgust that I felt, as well as to challenge the viewer to confront the reality of what happens behind closed doors in many households.

 

My piece is not only a personal expression, but also a social commentary. I want my piece to call out to those who have been affected by child sexual abuse, to let them know that they are not alone, that they are not to blame, and that they can heal and thrive. I also want my piece to open a dialogue with those who have not experienced this trauma, to educate them about its prevalence and impact, and to urge them to take action to prevent it from happening to others.

 

I hope that my piece will inspire empathy, compassion, and change in the viewer. I hope that it will contribute to breaking the silence and stigma around child sexual abuse, and to creating a safer and more supportive environment for survivors.