Silent Scream – A confrontational exhibition about sexual abuse
Since November 2024, multimedia artist HJIMvanGasteren’s exhibition Silent Scream has been touring the Netherlands and Belgium to great acclaim. The exhibition has sparked in-depth discussions at various locations about sexual violence, victim blaming, and the power of visual art as a social catalyst.
©HJIMvanGASTEREN
About the exhibition
The story of her daughter Krissi forms the core of Silent Scream. From a position of powerlessness grew an unprecedented strength. The love for her daughter became the driving force behind this series for HJIMvanGasteren. With Silent Scream, she wants to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse and dismantle prejudices. The exhibition shows poignant images of victims—sometimes (usually photographed) at the site of the abuse—perpetrators, and experts, inviting reflection and dialogue.
Why Amstelveen is showing this exhibition
The municipality of Amstelveen attaches great importance to raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence. These forms of injustice often take place in silence, behind closed doors. By showing Silent Scream, the municipality wants to contribute to making this issue visible and to stimulate discussion. The more people are aware of the consequences, the greater the chance that violence will be identified and stopped in time.
About the artist
Henriëtte Johanna Ignatia Maria van Gasteren (HJIMvanGasteren, Sevenum 1964), formerly known as Lilith, is an internationally acclaimed multimedia artist. Her work revolves around identity, self-expression, and social change. She combines self-portraits with various art forms and breaks through taboos. Her work is included in museum collections worldwide and has been awarded Honorable Mentions at the Julia Margaret Cameron Award and IPA Deeper Perspective, among others.
Want to know more?
Visit the websites https://www.silentscream.nl/ and https://hjimvangasteren.eu/
Are you a victim of sexual abuse? Consult this website https://centrumseksueelgeweld.nl/