Invisible Victims Exhibition by Kathryne Grimm

“Disabled people are 40% more likely to experience intimate partner violence than those without disabilities. Women with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at rates more than twelve times higher than those without disabilities. 83% of disabled women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime.Invisible Victims examines the internal narrative of a disabled domestic violence victim while they are living with their abuser, and functions as a voice for victims of an epidemic that is never addressed. We follow the invisible victim as they experience severe isolation, represented by a stark dark background and often solitary presence, though evidence of the abuser is always present through the symbolic use of the color red. We continue through observing them experiencing a denial of bodily autonomy, woven in numerous pieces either through the use of hands violating the figure, smeared lipstick, or blindfolds and gags. We then follow them as they experience torture, with drops of blood symbolic for the abuser’s actions. This victim cries for help, but their cries go unanswered, and they, inevitably, stand alone, cradling their head in their hands, left by society to endure their unexitable circumstances. We finally find them at the end of the series, covered in their own blood as a subversive Madonna; a failure of societal expectations of disability to be “inspiring” and function as inspiration porn to the non-disabled. Instead of society creating avenues of assistance, the invisible victim is judged for not performing perfect inspirational disability.”Following the reopening policy of the city of KCMO all guests visiting the KCAC galleries must wear a mask. If you do not have a mask when you arrive the gallery will supply you with one.