About this Exhibition

AWBW’s “Monster in Me” project gives women and children surviving domestic violence a safe way to explore some of the difficult feelings that result from living with abuse. Since 2006 women and children have participated in AWBW’s “Monster in Me” project at domestic violence shelters and transitional homes throughout Los Angeles. This exhibition showcases the breakthroughs and bravery that these survivors have displayed by confronting their past through creativity and ultimately experiencing the healing power of art.

By creating a “monster” that represents anger, sadness, fear, or other hidden emotions, domestic violence survivors can honor their feelings while finding healthy ways to cope and move forward. This project gives them a safe way to break the silence that keeps them isolated and ashamed. It enables them to express painful feelings and take a powerful step in developing positive ways to handle anger, an essential step in building a violence-free future.

Through this public exhibition of the “Monster In Me” project, domestic violence survivors share their personal stories and inspire others to engage in a dialogue that supports a safe and violence-free future.