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Here are the stories that inspired the art

Grounded in the real stories of domestic violence, Sarah C. Rutherford interviewed survivors as she was creating this mural and interwove their experiences into every detail. Here are their stories to listen to or read along with the art.

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Read the story

WILLOW + SARAH C. RUTHERFORD

A collaboration of hope & healing

“Sarah has so brilliantly captured both the darkness that survivors experience in domestic violence relationships and the hope and the beauty of finding their strength to move on to the next steps in their lives.”

— Meaghan de Chateauvieux

FROM SKETCH TO REALITY

The making of a six-story mural

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Read the artist statement Follow the artist: @msshaftway

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Free counseling. Safety planning. Emergency shelter. And so many other free and confidential services. Willow Domestic Violence Center is here to support you through your journey out of darkness and into safety and healing.

willowcenterny.org

24/7 Free & Confidential Hotline

(585) CALL222-SAFE 7233
(585) TEXT348-SAFE 7233

EXPERIENCE THE MURAL THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS

  1. 1 Visit the mural Visit 45 Exchange Boulevard, the Time Square Building, and check out the sign by the parking lot, next to the building, to access the filter.
  2. 2 Download the filter Scan the QR code on the sign and follow the instructions to install the filter. You’ll need Instagram to do this.
  3. 3 Bring the mural to life Follow the instructions on the sign to activate the filter.
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ARTIST STATEMENT

Sarah C. Rutherford

While in the design phase, I met with four survivors. I was moved by the resiliency and power of these survivors and their willingness to share their story.

Through our conversations, I landed on the power of affirmations, the tragic commonality that when in an abusive relationship we almost always feel alone, that finding your voice to tell your story can be transformative, and healing is not a linear path or destination.

I believe in the power of specificity and, yet, with this mural it was important to show that domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of identity and can show up in so many different ways. I therefore chose to focus on the messages and create an image of hope.

The image of the cosmic figure exists in an interior space, as DV so often lives behind doors, walls and windows. The glowing seedling of a willow tree hovers above their hands (that are the hands of one of the survivors), outside of an empty hanging birdcage. The window above gleans the beginnings of a sunrise, symbolizing the hope of a new day. In the next window the tree has grown into a full Willow, filling the space as the swallow takes flight, eventually breaking the frame and flying free, glowing from the sun while carrying the promise of the cosmos in its wings.

The words read:
You are enough. You are strong. You are worthy.
You are not alone.

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