I Do Unto Others What Has Been Done to Me

This painting explores the cycle of abuse and intergenerational trauma. A woman is boxed into a small room, overrun by roots, wrestling with breaking the cycle. Her body takes on the form of a doll to represent how powerless she feels.

It takes tremendous strength to face the past and learn new ways of behaving inside and outside the family unit, despite your roots. Studies show that many abusers were once victims of abuse themselves. While not all survivors go on to become abusers, factors such as learned behavior, normalization of abuse, inherited psychological issues, and lack of protection during childhood can increase the likelihood of repeating the cycle in adulthood. This piece is not about inevitability regarding the cycle of abuse. It is about the possibility of transformation.

Reflective Question: How much of who we become is determined by what we have experienced?

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This piece was awarded First place for the Brighton Art Guild's Kaleidoscope Exhibit 11/8/2025.

I Do Unto Others What Has Been Done to Me 24 × 24”, 8/25, oil on canvas

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