A door. A suitcase.

Picture a woman. She is living in fear. Every breath of every second of every minute of every day, she lives in fear of the person she loves. She is filled with hope; she is filled with despair - a seesaw of emotion that accompanies the bruises, the burns, and the scars to her body...to her heart. One day she finally finds the courage to walk through the door, taking with her only a suitcase filled with years of living.

I invite you to view this art exhibit with your heart, your mind, and your soul. As you look at the door, you will see that one side is full of positive messages, while the other side portrays the darker images of abuse and violence. In a domestic violence relationship, the line between the good times and the bad times isn't always so clear. The suitcase in the middle of the door represents this. If you open the suitcase up, you can see through to the other side of the door. In the suitcase are mementos of happy times, reminders of scary, hurtful times. The suitcase symbolizes the life of the woman traveling from victimization to freedom from an abusive relationship. She may have finally broken free from the past, but the memories will always be with her. Open the door. Take a journey. Thank you for taking the time to care.

"A Woman's Journey from Domestic Violence Victim to Survivor"

Concept and photos © 2005 Stacie Dubay All Rights Reserved.

The Gift From Within website offers a detailed look at different sections of the door for a more interactive experience.

The International Museum of Women also features "The Door" as an online exhibit.