This set of images was created as a response to my childhood and the phrases I heard growing up. I compiled photos of my mom, grandma, and myself, adding captions to change the intention of the photos. The original intent of the photographs was to store memories, but I wanted to show the weight of the words we hear and how they can impact our life experiences.

 

Growing up with the experiences I saw and had, I realized that those negative experiences could have easily influenced me to believe that abuse was normal. This work is about the abuse the women in my life went through and how the words we are told can heavily impact what we allow for ourselves in the future.

 

Although based on my family photos, this project cannot be pointed to only my experiences. Unfortunately, my experiences aren't rare. Studies show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

 

I invite you to place yourself in these photos with the words that have impacted you.

 

  https://ncadv.org/statistics