【eroticized childhood trauma】

Warning: This post contains nudity.

An 18-year-old photographer is eroticized childhood traumaresisting Donald Trump's sexism with her powerful series #SignedByTrump.

Aria Watson, a student at Clatsop Community College, painted quotes that Trump has said about women on several women's bodies, which she then photographed for her photography class.

The pictures were taken down from Instagram and Facebook due to nudity, but are still making a huge impact on Tumblrand Twitter.

SEE ALSO: Why Trump's presidency will require absolutely all your courage Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I started creating #SignedByTrump a few weeks before the election. However, once the election happened and I saw that Donald Trump had won, I knew I had to work harder on this project and spread my message," Watson, who was 17 at the time of the election and couldn't vote, wrote to Mashable.

"Like many other Americans, at first I thought the campaign was a joke. I couldn’t believe he was running for president! I don’t think anyone knew he was going to win. I for sure didn’t. I was, and still am, completely shocked at the fact that Hillary Clinton didn’t win," she said.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"As a proud feminist, hearing Trump say 'grab them by the pussy' and talk about how he could do anything he wanted made me absolutely sick. Women are not objects. The fact that he has said this, and other things like this, but still won scares me. I’m afraid that words, and even actions, like this will become a social norm," she told Mashable.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Watson has chosen not to disclose the identities of her models.

Of course I could not have done this project without the help of my models. I had such a difficult time finding people who were willing to model for me. Not only is it hard for people to strip down in front of someone and let them paint on their body, but it’s hard for a lot of people to be open about their political opinions. I decided to keep everyone's face out of the photos and keep them anonymous for two main reasons. For one, anonymity in art can be powerful, people can picture whoever they want on those bodies. The second reason is that these girls are not just models to me. They are friends, family, and one is even a self portrait. Being a small YouTuber, I know how harsh people can be when they are behind a screen. I did not want any of those girls to have to deal with that.

She said she has been criticized for only photographing one woman of color. She explained why that happened, and how she would have loved to have more diversity in the project.

I’ve gotten tons of messages and comments asking me where all the women of color are, and why I only used white girls. One of the girls in my photo series is Latina, however I understand where those people were coming from. Don’t get me wrong I would have LOVED to have some more women of color, but I live in such a small town and attend such a small college where the majority of people are white. The only other women of color I knew weren’t 18 yet, but if they were I would have asked them to model for me. I had a very hard time finding models. I got canceled on, and I even had to do a self portrait, but I had such a blast taking photos of my friends, and getting closer with them. Nothing makes you closer than painting words on someone's exposed body!

However, most of the feedback has been positive.

While I have obviously received some negative feedback, I have received so much support through messages, comments, and shares. Even though I’ve gotten some negative responses, all the positive support is outweighing it. I never would have thought that my project would have such a strong impact on so many people. Over the past few days I have gotten messages that have brought me to tears. Some people have told me I made their day, that my art work spoke to them, that I’ve inspired them, and some have even gone as far as saying I am their hero.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Watson, who wants to become a health teacher after college, has a message for people who identify with her project.

"To everyone who has supported me and #SignedByTrump, don’t let anyone silence you. Don’t be afraid to speak up about what you are passionate about," she told Mashable. "I don’t know why Donald Trump is in office, or how this even happened, but he is. What we need now more than ever is to come together. We are stronger together."

Watson also partnered with clothing company The Outrage to create postcards, shirts, sweatshirts and more featuring her #SignedByTrump art. Fifteen percent of proceeds is being donated to the ACLU in Donald Trump's name.

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Topics Donald Trump