'Keep a Dime Between Your Knees, Sweetheart' — A Self-Portrait by Gabrielle Saulené Simington
Growing up my mother often encouraged me to "keep a dime between my knees." Meaning to keep my legs shut so tightly I could hold a dime between them, and therefore a man could not enter. As an adult, I frequently reflected on this small yet heavy statement. In the image, I hold a dime between my knees to reference this statement, and while doing the act, I reflect on the absurdity of it. As a Black woman in America, I understand the connection this statement has to the lack of control we have had over our own sexuality historically. And I have met women from many backgrounds who have also grown up being told this same sentiment. This sparked my interest in how so many cultures and people in the world so frequently and easily pass down trauma even in such small yet heavy statements.
About the Artist
Gabrielle Saulené is an interdisciplinary artist native to Virginia and currently based in Los Angeles County. Her work is heavily influenced by Black feminist authors such as bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Roxanne Gay. Gabrielle's art practice is rooted in the study of the trauma that we pass down through generations almost as a form of inheritance. She explores these ideas through sexual shame, grief, and much more through the use of her own body in front of the lens as well as through written works. Follow more of Gabrielle’s work on Instagram.
