A Million Tears

Description

Through the visual arts a person can fully dive into a visual, tangible representation of one’s thoughts, emotions, fears, and desires. SiNaCa Studios – School of Glass is invested in utilizing a creative form of self-expression for healing.  It is in this area of exploration that people can grow to their fullest expressive creative potential and utilize this act of making, for healing.

‘A Million Tears’ is a collaborative representation of the struggles of one group of veteran women who suffer from PTSD.  As they stated, historically women in the military have been perceived as fragile, weak, and emotional. In a society where emotion is typically seen as gender based and, in a career, where emotions are not encouraged, a reflection and discussion occurred amongst these women.  Through our health and wellness programming with SiNaCa Studios and, in partnership with, The Art Station, and support from the TCA, we were able to give these women a safe place to express their emotional struggles. These veterans wanted to represent an emotional expression that depicted their struggles as women and as sexual assault survivors in the military. The glass tears signify the byproduct of years of abuse and submission.  They wanted to represent an emotional expression and a visual representation of the weight of those hidden tears. The paracord represents their connection to each other through the armed services. The green paracord represents the dominant male figures in their fields and the pink paracord represent the outnumbered women. The entire sculpture is hanging purely by tension. Some tears have words etched into them; others remain silent, but present. As the sculpture began to take form the Veterans became empowered and proud.

“We realized that tears are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, and courage; to allow yourself to feel, process, and accept the past. Reflect on the past and never let go of those tears, for they make your stronger every day for the future.” – veteran participant