P R E S E N T S
O F F R E E D O M
Beauty for Freedom Exhibition, “The Art of Freedom”, is a mixed-media exhibit sharing the stories of survivors of human
trafficking through the creative arts. The series is comprised of the compelling works created by over 30 survivors of labor trafficking and sex trafficking from the United States and India who are clients of Mentari USA and Rescue Foundation.
This art series was created in collaboration with Beauty for Freedom’s art therapy and empowerment initiatives locally and in SE Asia and was created with the intent to communicate feelings of hope, overcoming and stories of freedom.
Today, there are an estimated 40.3 million people living in slavery throughout the world. New York City serves as a
gateway and is one of the largest destinations for trafficked women entering the country. In every borough of New York City, women are being exploited for sex.Traffickers often recruit women through deceptive job ads or false promises,
exploiting vulnerabilities such as immigration status, debt, education, language, or children. The survivors of trafficking we serve are often motivated mothers, desperate to provide for themselves and their children. Beauty for Freedom is
committed to supporting the recovery of survivors through our creative art therapies and empowerment initiatives locally and globally.
To learn more about Beauty for Freedom’s empowerment and creative arts programming for survivors of human trafficking, please visit beautyforfreedom.org
*All sales from artwork sold will be donated to the survivors and survivor services at Mentari USA and Rescue Foundation.
Regina P. Artist Statement
I’ve always been attracted to the vibrancy and the complexity of the body’s movements in combination to nature. This
expression of movement comes from my heart. Music has the power to bring me so much magical inspiration that comes to me in waves like scent of perfume with energy and vivacity! It has been amazing to feel this total connection with my soul. Creating every artwork is a challenge in my experience of painting, but it has been a huge pleasure that all of
our souls are involved in this unexpected result when collaborating. These works are a picture of my feelings, of my heart and of my gratitude. I hope this artwork gives the viewer a sense of those emotions I felt.
Regina P. “The Thought” 2018
Regina P. “The Sunset” 2018
Size: 9” width x 12” height
Size: 11” width x 17.5” height
Mixed Media Collage on Paper
Mixed Media Collage on Paper
$500 USD
$500 USD
Regina P.“Movement” 2018
Regina P.“Enigma” 2018
Regina P.“Happiness” 2018
Size: 20” width x 16” height
Size: 18” width x 24” height
Size: 9” width x 11” height
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Mixed Media Collage on Paper
$500 USD
$500 USD
$500 USD
Gina C. Artist Statement
This project enabled me to search my inner soul connecting with the child and confronting the grief, the terror, the secret, the pain, the sadness and the loneliness that this kind of trauma can cause.Through my raw art, I’m hoping to encourage people to bring awareness to the issue of trafficking and to consider the physical, emotional and spiritual impact of sex slavery. I’m hoping to inspire and empower the public to shine a light into the darkness and to not be afraid to take a
closer look and to have a voice. This journey, this art, encouraged me to express myself, to be seen, to be heard and to feel safe through this healing process. Gina C.“Breaking the Chains” 2018
Gina C.“Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard” 2018
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
$500 USD
$500 USD
Ivette R. Artist Statement
Finding inner strength to leave a narcissist inspired my artwork.“None but ourselves can free our minds.” - Bob Marley
Ivette R. “Breaking Free Mentally” 2018
Ivette R.“Untitled” 2018
Size: 18” width x 24” height
Size: 20” width x 16” height
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
$500 USD
$500 USD
Sharlena P. Artist Statement
Lynn Artist Statement
is my joy of cooking. Food has always taught me to push
Self-expression is important and my intention for this piece.
An everlasting feeling that brings me joy and happiness boundaries, take time to dine and how to embrace our
secrets. This artwork bridges my love of the culinary arts and my enthusiastic journey for creative expression.
I like to create and bring my personality and heart into it. I like bringing imagination and beauty in creating art. Beauty for Freedom is a wonderful organization and inspirational in their work.
Sharlena P.“Untitled” 2018
Lynn “Untitled” 2018
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Size: 12” width x 9” height
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Mixed Media Collage on Paper
$500 USD
$500 USD
Patricia M. Artist Statement “Landing in Peace”
I created this art because when I look at it, I think of the
type of lifestyle I’ve been into this opening point of my life. I’ve been in foster care and I’ve been homeless for some years, so when I created this art I thought of the happy
days, the dark days and also the rocky days where things in my life seemed so wishy-washy and all over the place.
When I made the tree in the middle, it made me think that no matter what is going on in life, there is going to be a
tall, brighter and stronger day to be able to look forward to. Life is not always bad. You have to go through storms to
appreciate the sun. Being a part of the Beauty for Freedom workshops made me feel that you can be yourself and no
Patricia M. Artist Statement “Untitled”
I created this collage because in the world, we se
ourselves very differently at times. Especially when the
world looks at us differently. I know there can be change if we all come together and lift one another up. I know
being a part of the Beauty for Freedom workshops gave me a sense that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or
feels about someone else. We all matter, no matter what,
and we should all be comfortable in our own skin… in our
own bodies. We want our should to be free and we all want love and peace and to end the violence and negativity in our world.
matter what situation you are facing, you can overcome. Patricia M. “Landing in Peace” 2018
Patricia M. “Untitled” 2018
Size: 20” width x 16” height
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Mixed Media Collage on
$500 USD
Canvas Board $500 USD
Luz A.
Luz A.“Untitled 1” 2018
Luz A.“Untitled 2” 2018
Luz A.“Untitled 2” 2018
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
$500 USD
$500 USD
$500 USD
G.B. Artist Statement
Anonymous Artist Statement
Remembering and re-living warm
Sun, water, freshness and the
“Piece of Paradise”
summer days, the birds of my
childhood, and the colors of life.
“A Day in the Sun”
Carolyn E.
beauty of nature.
G. B.„Piece of Paradise“ 2018
Anonymous „A Day in the Sun“ 2018
Carolyn E.“Untitled 2” 2018
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Size: 24” width x 18” height
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
$500 USD
$500 USD
$500 USD
Faith
Chandra
Abigail
Faith “Untitled ” 2018
Chandra “Untitled” 2018
Abigail “Untitled 1” 2018
Size: 20” width x 16” height
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Acrylic on Paper
$500 USD
$500 USD
$500 USD
Abigail
Nukita
Nukita
Abigail “Untitled 2” 2018
Nukita “Untitled 1” 2018
Nukita “Untitled 2” 2018
Size: 18” width x 24” height
Size: 18” width x 24” height
Size: 16” width x 20” height
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas Board
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
$500 USD
$500 USD
$500 USD
Carolina C. Artist Statement “Wholehearted”
Using my imagination, I created a piece that describes a journey of love, surrender and compassion. Being a survivor of
sex trafficking, I felt a lot of shame and sadness around my past. Having compassion for myself is important to me. I learn to love myself each day a little more. And it’s because I am worth it. It took a long time to believe that.
Carolina C. “Wholehearted” 2018 Size: 16” width x 20” height Acrylic on Stretched Canvas $500 USD
Beauty for Freedom exists to empower survivors and at-risk youth of trafficking
through creative expression and art therapy facilitating a strengthening of empowerment and selfesteem while cultivating community engagement and awareness.
We work in areas where there are high instances of human trafficking.
Art making allows survivors to discover new talents, interests, and strengths as they progress through the recovery and reintegration process.
Artwork that survivors create and complete, even if the process isn’t always pleasant, becomes a source of pride and joy. Feelings of accomplishment, pride, and joy intrinsically motivate
survivors to work on other projects in art that provide appropriate challenge according to their
current and growing skill set. Intrinsic motivation built up through the creative flow process can help survivors work harder in other areas of life with greater confidence and competence. Support our Programming and Donate at beautyforfreedom.org
info@beautyforfreedom.org