Consent Culture Calendar

2023-2024 Submissions

A Sexual Violence and Prevention Response Office (SVPRO) & WUSA Sponsored Initiative

Sagarika Chaudhary

My artwork aims to emphasize the fact that clothing does not imply one’s willingness, or unwillingness, to engage in any form of interaction. It cannot be inferred from clothing, body language, or previous interactions, and must be clarified, in words, before the commencement of any sort of engagement. Themisconception can lead to harmful presumptions, victim-blaming, and perpetuation of harmful stereotypeswithin our community. To counteract such ingrained behaviors, continual efforts must be made to challenge and educate others on the importance of freely given consent.

In addition to enforcing a consensual atmosphere, my artwork also seeks to foster a sense of freedom and safety in terms of self-expression. It encourages students on campus to uphold themselves in a way they see fit, without worrying about the mindsets of others. The shift in thinking nurtures our growth as individuals on campus, learning to respect boundaries and cultivate trust amongst one another.

Keerthi Ramayanam

This photo clicked by me promotes recovery, respect, toughness, growth, freedom of choice, and resilience.

Chelsea Natasha J.

So my art has to do with women empowerment, overcoming trauma, and sexual violence and consent awareness.
My first piece is my way of overcoming trauma and showing the power and strength of women of colour.
My second piece focuses on showing awareness in consent culture- that consent is not always about expressing “no.” There is much more to expressing consent, or lack of consent, including body language and expression.

Gen Iozzo

My poem intertwines themes of grieving fragmented aspects of ourselves, the inherent beauty in endings, and the solace found in nature during times of sorrow. It explores the interplay between our emotional landscapes and the healing power of the natural world, inviting readers on an introspective journey.
 
Amidst the lines, we embark on a voyage of self-reflection, acknowledging and mourning our fractured selves. Coping encompasses both external losses and the internal process of reconciling with pain and trauma. Each line delicately balances darkness and light, fostering the recognition of our agency and the importance of respecting others’ boundaries as we navigate our healing journey. It calls for a culture of consent, where we honour and value our own consent for healing while extending the same respect to others in their own paths.
 
My poem aims to comfort and inspire those grappling with the complexities of grieving their fragmented parts. It encourages them to confront and honour their pain, recognizing that within the grieving process lies an opportunity for personal growth, self-acceptance, and the discovery of inherent beauty.
In a world that often suppresses vulnerability, my poem provides a safe space to embrace and integrate all aspects of our being.
 
By acknowledging and mourning our fragmented selves and seeking solace in nature’s embrace, we embark on a transformative journey of healing, self-discovery, and the realization of the inherent beauty that resides within us.

Perfect sunsets 

At the end of a long day 

An unexpected twist 

The thing that will finally put a smile on your face 

Watch it sink down down 

Let it remind you that even endings can be beautiful 

Weep on the beach as you wave goodbye 

Let the soundwaves from the water crashing 

Be the arms you didn’t know you needed 

And laugh as the wind whispers 

“My darling, even tears have the power to keep us afloat”  

Grace Kaya

As a survivor turned thriver after experiences of date rape and long term childhood sexual abuse I have used creative expressions as a form of personal healing, growth and connectivity to my communities.
 
This painting represents the potential to bloom after/despite an assault, and the watery strokes below symbolize an untainted innocence. 
 
I would like to include a line from a song I wrote for an international project I produced called The Waterlily Project (a collection of 20 short music films in the feminist hip hop genre, in which I facilitated contributions from 135 people living in 6 countries. 100% of the proceeds were donated to a rape crisis centre in the UK (http://www.WaterlilyMusic.com).
 
~

If they can’t respect your “No”, 

they’ll not appreciate when you say “Yes.”

~

 
The lyrics are from the film entitled “Boundaries”
 
Sincerely, Grace (they/them) aka Waterlily
 

Dhriti Mehra

Healing unveils itself as a silent symphony, dancing in a sea of scars that are waiting to be allayed. Sorrowful waves carry chaos, rumbling with burden, hurt, and disbelief, brewing a stormy ocean of abandonment. But like any other storm, those that are lost are found – Silently swimming as unknowns in this realm of nature’s way. Despite being unknowns, they fight, pushing away one tide after the other, until ….until they reach the shore.
 
Slowly but surely, we start to find comfort in ourselves. The art piece is a silent depiction of the battles of such individuals. Those individuals who are on their own journey of healing, trying to find a new sense of comfort with their situations, finding solace in the rhythm of renewal. Just like the sea, the voyage of healing is eternal and different for every sailor. In the search for self, we find the world, and in this world, we rediscover the essence of our own being.
 

Jessica McCrudden

This colourful hand painting serves as a visual celebration of community.

The wide-ranging palette of colours reflects the vibrant personalities and experiences that contribute to a community’s strength and resilience. It showcases the beauty, diversity, and interconnectedness of the individuals within a collective. Through the vibrant and overlapping colours, the painting captures the spirit of unity, collaboration, and shared experiences that define a vibrant and inclusive community

Diya Drabu

My artworks, deeply influenced by my program in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies (SMF), encourage a sense of community, care and promote consent culture in everyday lives by depicting individuals on the diverse spectrum of human sexuality engaging in respectful and consensual relationships.
 
They place emphasis on the significance of positive and healthy relationships within and outside campus environment.
“Treating love as something to be built rather than found” is an art piece that promotes consent by emphasizing that healthy relationships are rooted in mutual respect, choice, and communication. Ultimately, it champions the idea that love should be a conscious, consensual creation, reinforcing values of choice and freedom.
 
Through vibrant colors and expressive forms, the art piece about “You, who opened suns in my heart,” signifies a bond of mutual empowerment, fostering emotional growth and flaring up our hearts with hope. This phrase signifies a consensual partnership where comfort thrives, affirming that every ray of light in the heart is nurtured with respect and consent. It encapsulates the idea that consent is the guiding force behind building relationships that inspire and uplift, adding a touch of warmth, trust, and harmony.
 
My coursework in intimate relationships and human sexuality, part of my SMF program, has played a pivotal role in shaping my art. It envisions a campus where individuals can embrace their sexuality freely while prioritizing consent, choice, and the well-being of all.
 

Courtney Bye

“Normalizing conversations around consent & having a strong network of people that care and support you.”

Rita Vidot

When we think of consent we often think of it in a sexual manner. But my artwork works on consent represented through personal boundaries. The two spirits are the colors yellow and purple. Purple represents courage and comfortability, and yellow represents consent and permission. The two soles are separated by space while still being one, attached by a spherical shape they form when close together. Mirroring yin and yang to show how they go hand in hand. Showing connection with space and boundaries which I think is a very important part of consent, fostering respect for people’s physical and invisible boundaries.
 
They are both in a heart to represent 2 things; the idea of consent to boundaries affecting us at our core and that respecting boundaries is showing love.
I made it a fun simple comic style piece because it is easy to notice and grasp its concept when looking at it. This fosters care on campus by reminding students that consent is not an annoying thing to work around but rather personal boundaries that can affect us down to our souls.