In New Jersey, a new art exhibit is being put on display by women who have been abused by their significant others. With Domestic Violence Awareness Month upon us, the exhibit that will be presented in several libraries throughout the state is aiming to make individuals more conscious of the effects of domestic abuse in New Jersey.

The exhibit is called “Baring Our Soles.” Each piece has been designed and created by domestic violence victims living in a shelter provided by Shelter Our Sisters, an organization that hopes to protect domestic violence victims.

According to NorthJersey.com, the art exhibit was an idea created in part by a creative arts therapist who works with Shelter Our Sisters. Her idea was to allow the victims she works with to express themselves and the emotions that they have tied to their victimization through art using shoes as their canvases.

The therapist says she decided to to use shoes as the main medium because she believes that many women have a very close tie to their shoes. During therapy, victims are presented with a donated shoe and are given many options with which to decorate them. One woman wrapped rope around her shoe because she felt held down or trapped.

During later sessions of therapy, the women are tasked with writing something about their experience as a domestic abuse victim. Through the program, many are able come to terms with their past and have been allowed the ability to start moving on.

Source: NorthJersey.com, “‘Baring Our Soles’ to help fight domestic violence,” Harvy Lipman, Oct. 10, 2011