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Kelli Radcliffe - Sometimes I Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

Kelli Radcliffe - Sometimes I Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

Artist Statement: I was working at Cancer Lifeline where the discussion of breast cancer is common, and temporarily living behind a strip joint, when I leaned that one out of every three girls are sexually assaulted before the age of 16.* I began to reflect on the possible ramifications of such issues. The combination of these facts lead me to reflect on the complex relationships we have with our breasts. So this piece is about our breasts changing our lives - and us changing our breasts - because of what we see, because of what others see, or because of what we think others see.

It is about breast implants and breast reductions.
It is about the complications that occur when we have these procedures done.
It is about breast cancer - looking at our breasts but not being able to see that they are diseased - and wondering if others can tell that we have had one or both breasts removed.
It's about feeling our life is over because there is a lump in one or both of them.
It is about technological advances made and money made because of breasts.
It is about why we pay women to show their breasts but not men.
It is about removing our breasts to become a man.
It is about bonding with our babies as they look into our eyes and suckle our breasts.
It is about others telling us when, where, and how long we can -or cannot -
breast feed our babies.
It is about the attention we receive (or don't receive) because of our breasts.
It is about being chosen as a murder victim because we are a prostitute.
It is about feeling flattered or vulnerable because a construction worker whistles.

King Country Sexual Assault Resource Center statistic, 2003. Note that one out of every five boys is sexually assaulted before the age of 16. Imagine the ramifications of THIS.

Note also that there was an intended relationship between the title of this piece and Michael Jackson's song: "Sometimes It Feels Like Somebody's Watching Me" thus acknowledging a relationship between this topic and his alleged actions in this area.

Dimensions: 48" wide x 24" high



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