Tilly Jackson

Confidence Constructed

Glass, porcelain, concrete and cotton organdy

What?

A series of critical design apparatus which captures the futility of *Safety Work and critiques the contradictory advice given and expected for women and girls to follow to keep safe from street harassment and assault.

*Safety Work refers to the cautionary and preventative measures taken by individuals to provide comfort and sense of safety, to avoid or be able to react to street harassment and assault. (Vera-Gray 2018)

How?

By physicalising the structural spaces that our body creates when held in different positions, the series creates a visual structure of the anxious thoughts that are a result of being advised to not appear ‘vulnerable’. Instead, constructing a facade of confidence.

Each piece physicalises a thought process as a result of the advice. The material choices then critiquing the fragility of these actions’ and the rigidity communicating the restraints. The layering of the artefacts then visualises the burden and barrage of advice and expectations. Positioning the body in contradictions.

Steel, cotton organdy, glass and porcelain

Why?

Navigating Safety Work can be complex, the advice given often contradicting itself and creating a Catch 22. There’s either not enough panic or ‘too much’ when it comes to avoiding street harassment and assault, and these preventive measures are immeasurable in their success. As well as this, although referred to as ‘advice’ the guidance is often treated as an expectation, which when not followed is used against women, perpetuating a culture of victim blaming.

Sarah Everards case has however illuminated the futility of following said advice, and the limit of Safety Work. Despite Everard doing ‘everything right’, she still became a case. This project asks you to reflect on your expectations of how women and girls should conduct themselves in public and see the trading of freedom that comes with it. The project works to contribute to the dissembling of our too often victim blaming and shaming society, through its conversation inducing critical approach.