One of the most important contributions that the feminist movement made to my life was the
phrase, “the personal is political.” Struggling with my own personal trauma, I began to recognize
that what had happened to me was only a microcosm of the violence done not only to people all
over the world, but to all living beings and even the mountains, sky and ocean. I was no more
responsible for my victimization than the Earth was for being strip mined, or the forest was for
being clear cut. This not only relieved a lot of shame and guilt, but also opened me to the
realization that I could be part of a vast wave of resistance, and that fighting back could take
many forms.
Over time art, in particular sculpture, and writing became my principle means of resistance.
Recognizing the foundational nature of trust and trustworthiness for social living, I began
identifying and depicting the “Perpetrator” as the one who betrays a trust. This trusting
relationship could be between a child and a parent, members of a social group, or any of us
within the biological and mineral network of life on the planet.
Identifying and depicting these betrayals in my work, I hope to help people move past the denial
that so many of us, myself included, use to try to protect ourselves from the intensifying trauma
pushing our world into extinction.