Don't Speak

Medium

Acrylic

Dimensions

85"H × 70"W

Year

2020

This painting reflects the experience of living as a woman in a world where men’s voices often take up more space. The figure is wrapped and partially concealed, not out of fear, but out of recognition — a recognition of how frequently women are spoken over, spoken for, or simply unheard. The eyes remain uncovered because even when silence is expected, women continue to witness, to understand, and to carry truth. My statement begins with Don’t speak. It is not a request for quiet; it is an acknowledgment of how powerful a man’s words can be in a male‑centric world. His words are loud, influential, and capable of shifting dynamics, opening doors, and shaping narratives. They carry weight — sometimes so much that they overshadow the voices of women standing beside them. This piece sits in the tension between that reality and my own desire to be seen and understood. The wrap symbolizes the ways women protect themselves, the ways we navigate spaces where our voices are not centered, and the ways we hold our truth even when it is not invited. This artwork is about the politics of voice — about what it means to speak, to be silenced, and to be heard. It is about the weight of words in a world where some voices echo and others must fight to resonate.