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When I saw a photograph of this dignified young woman, I was drawn to her calm gaze and tentative smile. When I read her story, I was compelled to try to capture that dignity in an oil portrait.
Her tragic story is one of human trafficking. She is just one of 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally, including 5.5 million children, according to statistics at www.10thousandwindows.org.
Other sources report there are as many as 45 million slaves today, that human trafficking is a 32 billion-dollar industry, the fastest growing criminal enterprise.
In addition of 10ThousandWindows, Agape International Mission and Tiny Hands International have partnered with Freedom Fifty Eight Project to create art exhibits dedicated to raising awareness about modern day slavery and other forms of violent oppression. Artists of various disciplines donate a portrait of people who were formerly enslaved and/or oppressed. The portraits then become part of the traveling exhibit displayed at schools, libraries, museums, churches, and festivals.
My portrait of this young Cambodian woman will soon join that traveling exhibit. It is my hope that I have portrayed her dignity and exemplified optimism for her future. Rescued from her previous bondage, she is now married and helps to support her family as a seamstress. Her tragic story has become one of hope.
I based my portrait of her on a reference photograph supplied to me by the Freedom Fifty Eight Project. In the photograph, a sewing machine and colorful spools of thread sit behind her. Incorporating the threads into my painting of her, I swirled them around in the background, connecting them to her through the colorful pattern in her blouse, hoping to symbolize the bright future she is creating for herself.
I hope my portrait of her brings awareness to the project and inspires action in the fight for freedom from human trafficking.
For further information about the project, you may visit these web sites:
