What Price Silence?

Inspired by the stories of victims of sexual abuse threatened, shamed, or bribed into silence.   The face is a doll’s, the lower part hidden to symbolize an enforced silence.  The other elements of the sculpture symbolize the wealth and opportunities offered to a victim for silence:  the blue-gray velvet backdrop, swirls of a luxurious mauve fabric and an elegant garland blending beads of rose quartz and off-white mother of pearl, pink and white freshwater pearls, and amethyst Murano glass beads.  The colors are subdued to indicate that wealth and opportunities come with a price.  The frame surrounding the photograph of the doll's face is intentionally off-kilter to give the viewer a sense of instability and unease.

The necklace segment contains rose quartz (a semiprecious stone), Murano glass beads encasing silver, mother of pearl, and freshwater pearls. Additional materials used in creating this sculpture include a digitally manipulated photograph, acrylic paint, a wooden picture frame, velvet, satin and paper.  Custom framed with museum glass.