Creative Projects for Healing

Creating art, especially in community with others, is a powerful means of telling our stories, imagining possibilities, and reclaiming our wholeness. Through art we can also create a community that supports our healing and wellness.

One thing we did was create Incest Survivor Action Figures! This came about from joking that what the world needed was Incest Survivor Action Figures. The next thing I knew, a friend had dropped off a box of found objects (wire, beads, buttons, paper) and a block of clay on my doorstep. So, I gathered some of my trusted people, told them about the idea, laid out the materials, and we set about creating “The Girls” (as we fondly call them).

The Incest Survivor Action Figures are visual representations of what happens to a girl after her brother starts sexually abusing her, and then later as her family compounds the sexual abuse with their harmful responses. When others did not protect us, believe us, do anything to stop the abuse, or do anything to repair the harm, we created figures who did. They are stark and fierce; their very existence is unsettling; the message they deliver is more important than your comfort. They are action figures because survivors desperately needed someone to take action to keep them safe and had to become their own heroes. These Action Figures were created by abuse survivors working together to reimagine their childhood selves as powerful and strong.

It is an act of power to claim and name them “Incest Survivor Action Figures”. It is also an act of power for survivors to gather and create together, reminding ourselves that we get to live meaningful, safe, playful lives.

The six Incest Survivor Action Figures we created are featured in the book. They are strong, fierce, bold, provocative, powerful, life-giving creations. Those of us who know them actually think of them as superheroes; but they are modest about their powers, which you can read about below.

The Incest Survivor Action Figures were born of clay, tiny leather jackets, Barbie dolls, Ken dolls, popsicle sticks, magic markers, found objects, and the inspiration of a bunch of incredible women. We figured somebody had to make them. And you can too! Below, we've supplied the necessary materials and ideas to empower you to craft your own unique creations.

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #5, Star, age 2

Star’s thighs are like iron and when they sense danger the activating button behind the star on her leg sets her in motion whenever necessary. Star was created out of non-drying clay over an old Barbie doll. The feet of the Barbie were shaved down so that she no longer had high-heeled feet. They were just too cumbersome and wouldn’t allow for speed.

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #4, Bones, age 5

Bones is a model for how to take hold of and corral skeletons of your past. She has no face, but is holding a mirror in one hand and stabbing her skeletons with the other hand. She is steady on her feet, and ready to be at your side at a moment’s notice.

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #1, Bugle, age 7

Bugle has hairy-grass legs that make her strong and one with nature. She was made right inside her little leather jacket, carries her power object on her chest, and will not be silenced. (You can read more about her on page X of the book).

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #6, Scorch, age 8

Scorch is a warrior who handles a spear equally well with each of her tattooed arms. She has warriorwear: a navel ring, leather neckband, ear piercings, make-up, and other items that only she knows about.

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #2, Buzz, age 10

Buzz’s superhuman strength is stored in her Popsicle stick core. Her sinewy muscles define her spirit as well as her physique – she is a sweet-tough girl, not to be messed with, but definitely one to get to know.

Incest Survivor Action Figure, #3, Celtic Girl, age 14

Celtic Girl’s powers are hidden beneath her colorful warrior symbols and woven throughout her brilliant red hair. She needs only one leg to get her work done. (Prior to her red hair, she was a blond and then had bright big blue locks). At least 5 women worked on creating her, sometimes together, sometimes alone.

Speak Out!

Four things about making art that I never knew that:

I could make art
I would love making art so much
I would make so many things, and
Other people would love the art I made so much!

I had no idea how I would use the linoleum blocks that I started carving in an art class I took. That was 4 years ago, and I haven’t stopped. I’ve lost track of how many stamps I have carved at this point, as well as the clothing, patches, and small banners I’ve printed on. It is so much fun and I love when other people love the stamps.

I used my art for an event at Kindness Day to make a spinner. I went to a copy shop to get the top of a spin-the-wheel-game (put link here to Kindness Day on Events page) laminated. The young man who helped me told me how beautiful the wheel was and how much he liked the font and messages. I told him about the event and said, “this was made to help stop sexual abuse, especially sibling sexual abuse.” “Oh, yes,” he said, “we have to talk about it to put a stop to it.”

I believe that speaking our truth about our experiences is a crucial part of healing, and also essential to making societal change.

So be your brave self, tell your story, speak out, be fearless, and know you are not alone! And always, believe survivors!

Purchase Stickers, Magnets + Buttons

Make your own Incest Survivor Action Figures

Make them alone or make them with friends. Just make them!

Materials

Clay (non-drying), various colors — clay that dries will crack and fall apart, so non-drying clay or other material is nice to use

Old (or new) dolls Barbie and Ken dolls work — their parts are interchangeable, and don't be put off by the high heeled feet (you can change the feet and other parts)

Popsicle sticks to build a figure on

Found objects Wire, buttons, beads, little plastic things, sticks, material… really ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that speaks to you

Colorful markers You can color hair and bodies, make tattoos, write on cloth, etc.

Socks Stuff them and shape them into the figure you want

Process

Set the materials you have out in front of you. Look, touch, stitch things on to other things, pull things apart, put things together. Play with your ideas and emotions – just go with them and see what you come up with.

Send us pictures of your Incest Survivor Action Figures and any other survivor art project you created that you would like to share.

We will post some of them on the website for others to see.