“How do you show something you can’t see?” Raising awareness for domestic violence through art
In collaboration with Take a Stand, a nonprofit organization working to end sexual violence, Jesse Solomon, a Pittsburgh-based analog collage artist, showcased his latest works, titled “How Do You Show Something You Can’t See?” at Ketchup City Creative, an art gallery in Sharpsburg. The event and exhibition aimed to raise awareness about domestic violence through Jesse’s collages and Take a Stand’s interactive craft forums, which use art to encourage healthy coping skills. I had the opportunity to attend the opening, photograph the event, and speak with Jesse about the collaboration and what it means to him and his art. Keep reading to check it out!
How do you approach creating art to raise awareness about domestic abuse?
“First and foremost, the domestic violence-influenced pieces are created for myself. I’ve never been into journaling or writing things down, and so I use these pieces as a way of visual storytelling and therapy in a way. It helps me get these things I’ve experienced, and I know many others have as well, out into the world in a way that sometimes words fall short.”
Jesse and Sami Roth, founder of Take a Stand
How did you become involved with Take a Stand?
“I went to high school with Sami Roth, who is the founder of Take a Stand. She had reached out to me when she had first started the project/nonprofit to get my opinion on the artistic direction, and we’ve just stayed in touch since then on different ways the company can expand and help reach more people.”
How did you first get into analog collage, and why is it your chosen medium?
“I first started working digitally with photographs my friends would take of me or other people in high school. I’d take those into Photoshop and use the pen tool and cut parts out, and add on some filters/colors. In college, I started experimenting more with the physical process with a dull X-Acto blade I found in my dorm’s hallway, my first year. I think why I’m the most drawn to this medium is because of the process, which allows me to go in blind on a project and let my resources (ie, the magazine images and text) point me in a direction.”
“Sex” Tape transfer collage, 2024
What kind of response do you hope people have when they view your pieces?
“I think there are a couple of ways that I’m hoping people view my work. One of them being from a strictly artistic and methodical viewpoint. I want them to see the effort that was put in and notice the choice of color, type, font, layout, etc. Mostly everything is very heavily thought through and planned for each piece, and I hope that is noticed and appreciated. Then, on the other hand, I want these pieces to serve as a bit of an “I see you, you see me”. What I mean by this is that, although everyone’s experience with abuse is different, they aren’t alone, and they deserve better. I want those people to look at it and say “well damn” or “shit” like truly just be gut punched with the emotion I put into it.”
How can art be used to raise awareness of social issues?
“I think when it comes to art, it’s always created with social or political issues at the center. Sometimes that’s consciously, and other times it’s subconsciously. That’s the part about art that’s so meaningful for me: even if I had no intention of a piece being viewed in a specific way, someone could view it and really take it personally. Everything can have a different meaning to different people, and that’s what makes art worth sharing because not only does it bring us together, it creates space for dialogue.”
“How do you show something you can’t see?” was an informative opening into how art can be used as an outlet to work through experiences such as domestic violence, and showcase to others that they aren’t alone and that there is a community for them. Make sure to check out Jesse’s Instagram for more of his artwork, as well as Take a Stand’s Instagram for resources regarding abuse and upcoming community events!