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19-Year-Old Reveals The Shocking Aftermath Of Sexual Assault In A Powerful And NSFW Artwork

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Sometimes a single image can speak much louder than words, and this piece of art by 19-year-old student Emma Krenzer doesn’t just speak to us. It yells at us. The purpose of the piece, which Emma made for an art class at Nebraska Wesleyan University, is to show us the aftermath of sexual assault, and as you can see, it’s as powerful as it is shocking. She made it by taking a picture of a friend before printing out a life-size copy and painting it with her fingers. She then made a legend to the “map” in order to show people what each of the colors represent.

She completed the piece on the same night that she returned from a Women’s March in Washington D.C, and when she shared it on Twitter recently, the piece soon went viral with more than 125k shares and 300k+ likes. What’s clever about it is that it doesn’t rely on gratuitous imagery to convey its disturbing message. Instead it takes a simple idea and puts it to powerful use, in order to leave us with a shocking message long after we’ve finished looking at the picture.

More info: Twitter

19-year-old student Emma Krenzer created this art piece to show the impact of sexual assault

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“I made this project largely for myself to actually visualize the lasting impact that touch can have on an individual”

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“I thought about what was true for myself, and also, what I perceived to be commonly true for people in general, when I mapped out these touches”

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She made it by taking a picture of a friend before printing out a life-size copy and painting it with her fingers

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She then made a legend to the “map” in order to show people what each of the colors represent

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Emma now plans to make a larger series inspired by this version

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She completed it on the same night that she returned from a Women’s March in Washington D.C

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She recently shared it on Twitter and her artwork soon went viral

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The powerful piece resonated with many people who were quick to share their thoughts

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1.7Mviews

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What do you think ?

Marie-Pier Kiopini 7 years ago

This is a great piece of art and at the same time, it is so sad to visualize even more what sexual assaults can do even afterwards. I have friends that have been sexually assaulted and when they told me they still live with this, even years after... I'm shocked. Even with your map, even with myself crying in front of your art, I don't even know what it feels like. Not even close. It must be so painful, physically and mentally. To all of you who have dealt with assaults, or still is dealing with it, I hope for all of you that one day, the hurting stops. Much love to you all.

25points

Dżoana Kałuża 7 years ago

It's so devastating! Telling how sexual assault can leave marks for your whole life. But I still do not understand how touching your relative's or friend's palm can be a touche (was that really romantic or erotic enough to call it a bit awkward or even an assault? We are humans, touching is a way to communicate and we shouldn't be scared of it... Now I can't stop thinking if a victim of rape or sexual assault becomes scared of a touch)

8points

Mango Engel 7 years ago

There are images of where people feel comfortable to be touched based on how well they know the person (a stranger is ok only on the hands, for example). All her body is touched since the legend signifies that she gets touched by people that are close to her (family members, lovers, friends). Private and vulnerable places such as the upper thigh, stomach have handprints. But the parts where only the orange, the "lover", is have also been touched by a total stranger. Places that not even her close family members touched. And that is - I assume - the point. A place where not even your parents or best friends touch you was invaded by a total stranger. Without the comparison of where others usually touch, it wouldn't be that obvious how invasive it is and just another "tell me where he touched you" image.

15points

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Arty 7 years ago

she is just illustrating the rape "touch" next to all the rest of the human touch you may experience. I don't think any of the other marks were suppose to be negative

2points

Jeanie Davis 7 years ago

They dont want anyone touching them ,its very sad .

0points

Stephanie Kennedy 7 years ago

I think it is there more as a juxtoposition of the touches that are inplaces/by People that they weren't comfortable with. But like you said after an assault touches that haven't been invited could also be uncomfortable

0points

Psotny Puk 7 years ago

So creative and powerful!

5points

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Marie-Pier Kiopini 7 years ago

This is a great piece of art and at the same time, it is so sad to visualize even more what sexual assaults can do even afterwards. I have friends that have been sexually assaulted and when they told me they still live with this, even years after... I'm shocked. Even with your map, even with myself crying in front of your art, I don't even know what it feels like. Not even close. It must be so painful, physically and mentally. To all of you who have dealt with assaults, or still is dealing with it, I hope for all of you that one day, the hurting stops. Much love to you all.

25points

Dżoana Kałuża 7 years ago

It's so devastating! Telling how sexual assault can leave marks for your whole life. But I still do not understand how touching your relative's or friend's palm can be a touche (was that really romantic or erotic enough to call it a bit awkward or even an assault? We are humans, touching is a way to communicate and we shouldn't be scared of it... Now I can't stop thinking if a victim of rape or sexual assault becomes scared of a touch)

8points

Mango Engel 7 years ago

There are images of where people feel comfortable to be touched based on how well they know the person (a stranger is ok only on the hands, for example). All her body is touched since the legend signifies that she gets touched by people that are close to her (family members, lovers, friends). Private and vulnerable places such as the upper thigh, stomach have handprints. But the parts where only the orange, the "lover", is have also been touched by a total stranger. Places that not even her close family members touched. And that is - I assume - the point. A place where not even your parents or best friends touch you was invaded by a total stranger. Without the comparison of where others usually touch, it wouldn't be that obvious how invasive it is and just another "tell me where he touched you" image.

15points

Load More Replies...

Arty 7 years ago

she is just illustrating the rape "touch" next to all the rest of the human touch you may experience. I don't think any of the other marks were suppose to be negative

2points

Jeanie Davis 7 years ago

They dont want anyone touching them ,its very sad .

0points

Stephanie Kennedy 7 years ago

I think it is there more as a juxtoposition of the touches that are inplaces/by People that they weren't comfortable with. But like you said after an assault touches that haven't been invited could also be uncomfortable

0points

Psotny Puk 7 years ago

So creative and powerful!

5points

Load More Comments

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