Artwork from the Broken/Unbreakable saga
Explore the paintings from Sjana's project The Broken/Unbreakable saga, beginning with the first half of the saga, Broken.
Broken/Unbreakable is a two-part concept album I released about sexual abuse that I endured as a child. It takes you on a journey from the past (Broken) to the present (Unbreakable). I painted a piece for each song to allow you to look further into the story.
The main theme of the saga is the phoenix, Broken representing the ashes and death while Unbreakable represents the rebirth. The Broken chapter happens during the cold winter while Unbreakable takes place in the spring.
Broken
The first part of this two-part saga, Broken, is centred in the past and reveals dark thoughts and secrets through a child’s eyes. Broken is mainly from the child’s perspective while the abuse is happening and focuses as well on the aftermath of it, and the heaviness of dealing with it as a young adult.
Broken is a heavy, fragile sphere offering little to no comfort right up until the end of that chapter, where the story gets hopeful and you feel a bit of relief as you sense that something better is to come.
Playing in the Snow
Playing in the Snow describes the innocence of a child, hence using the snow as a metaphor for innocence and purity.
Bloody Waters
Bloody Waters hints that something sinister has happened.
The bloody waters are the crimes that have been committed against innocent souls.
Uneasy
It shows the tense and uneasy feeling of being around the perpetrator.
White Noise
It captures the feeling of fear and self-doubt.
Blame
Blame is about the heaviness of self-hatred and self-blaming.
Broken
It shows the aftermath of the abuse- feeling hopeless and broken. Grieving the innocence that has been lost.
Protect Me
It’s about the coping mechanisms of a traumatized child. The child now has their broken wings wrapped around them for protection.
Breaking My Heart
This art piece shows the effects of self-doubt and guilt. It’s a depiction of a broken self-image.
The Truth
You can never know someone’s full story by the mask they put up.
This art piece also shows all the emotional tangles behind that mask.
Close
Close tells a story about being trapped in complete darkness, alone and being desperate for help.
Can You Hear Me?
It reflects the emotions of a victim not feeling seen or heard.
Cold
Cold reflects the perpetrator’s lack of empathy and coldness.
I'm Sorry It Ended This Way
There's a mix of complex emotions that a lot of victims go through after being abused by someone close to them. This particular piece illustrates the sorrow and pain of things not working out as you wanted them to, and feeling regret and guilt for a situation you’re not responsible for. Although it may seem as though it's over just because something has ended- something new has begun. The tears are cleansing.
Liberation
The truth can be painful but liberating at the same time. In that pain, you may find clarity.
Using the phoenix as metaphor, your tears can be healing.
Heal
This art piece is a slow shift from complete hopelessness towards hope and light and so the healing journey begins.
To Little Me
It is a look into the mirror of timelessness- saying goodbye to your past self.
The Beginning Of The End
This is the end of this chapter but the beginning of a new one. It’s the calm after the storm- looking back at all the ruins and towards the work that lies ahead with hopefulness.