This artwork is inspired by the story of a girl victim of violence, who finally understood that she was not alone.

“I understood I was not alone.
I found a new job.
But I’m still scared.
I always look behind me.
I’m working with psychologists.
To get rid of all that.
To get back to sleep.
I re-started taking charge of my life,
I found a social life.
I made new friends
Patrols are carried out in front of my house regularly.
Is that enough to secure it? I don’t know…”

Not Alone

This artwork is inspired by the story of a girl emotionally manipulated by her domestic partner.
One minute he will criticize her.
The next minute he would compliment her.
Next, he will say that she is too sensitive.
The same scenarios happened repeatedly and reached the point at which she could not trust her own thoughts. Her mind was his mind. With him, she lived in a whirlwind of emotions that escaped her.

My mind of his own mind

In parts of the world without running water, people must rely on an alternative:  walking to get water. Every day, With their calabashes on their heads, Women in those areas walk a minimum of 5 miles to get in line at a pump to get water. Some of them carry their babies on their backs during their trips to the pump.  The amazing part of it is the fact that they always have a smile on their faces. What matters to them is to get what they need, that water, in order to fulfill the basic needs of their children and families.

The woman is the cradle of humanity. Honor and Respect to all women around the world. For me, The degree of culture of a community is measured by the degree of respect it has for the dignity of women.

Remember Her

This artwork is inspired by a story of an abused woman victim of injustice. It is about how an abusive partner could shift the blame on his victim. Abusers can be manipulative, often recruiting friends, law officers, and court officials, even the victim’s family to their side, while shifting blame to the victim. They deny the violence and abuse or rationalize it.

“I had often heard that phrase.
‘Justice is Blind’
Yet, I did not believe it.
Until I saw with my very own eyes
Not only was justice blind.
But the whole world seemed to be too.
My family,
His colleagues
Our neighbors
The judge
The friends
The loved ones
And the jury members too.
I was accused
I had come to report
He stood there calm, healthy, and tall.
Knowing he would be believed
Believed, because he knew it very well
Because he planned it all along
And I was just a wayward girl
Who had left her homeland.
And landed somewhere she knew no one…”

Justice is blind

This artwork is inspired by my commitment to Inclusion and Diversity.
Black power fist in a heart full of love and protection.
You matter. I matter. We matter.

Inclusion

The baskets and the Woman inspired by the women’s subordinate position of a woman in some traditional societies and their struggle for empowerment. In few countries in Africa, women are empowering themselves by involving in the area of home-based work mainly basketry. This does not directly indicate opposition to the existing social structure and assigned traditional role. But, taking into account their living conditions and the nature of the society, involving in home-based work remains the best route to empowerment in those countries. By becoming submissive to the traditional job, women are able to bring change in the areas of the economy and decision making that enables them to practically challenge the main discourse of men as bread winners and women as house makers.

The Baskets and The Woman

So much more is about how far in her womb violence could reach a woman, victim of violence.

“From her womb, her twin babies showed her who she was at her core.
That man’s words had caught those babies too.
And maybe just like she did,
They had started to believe him.
They believed him…Until they could take it no more.
People called it “miscarriage.” She called it “abuse.”

So much More

The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles. Eagle is about self-defense and protection in the struggle.
Soar like an eagle.
Feel that you belong and know that you’re respected.
Feel that you’re valued and know that you’re powerful.
Live your life with strength, higher perspective, expansion, loyalty, vision, and manifestation.



Pride

The African Fabric has always been the means of expression of the silent African woman who has chosen not to respond directly. Its impressionable colors and patterns have been actual nests of answers and feelings from women to various questions, situations, and frustrations. They preferred to express themselves through the patterns of the Fabric they wore, whether it was a disagreement, contempt, victory, congratulation, or joy, while the mouth remains closed.

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Danielle Mbenda

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