USOR or "United States of Rape" is a research-based series of hand-embroidered flags representing each state and its laws on rape and sexual assault. The laws are taken out of context, mixed up, and displayed over a pixelated version of the state flag. The words and phrases extracted from these laws, using RAINN as a resource, are significant to Curtis because they are either shocking, confusing, or notably different from other state laws. Currently, each state in the United States has varying laws regarding rape, sexual assault, and sexual violence. Some laws are comprehensive, while others consist of just three sentences. Some states define rape as only possible between a man and a woman, while others break their laws into multiple degrees and even define sexual consent. As a survivor of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, Curtis was shocked to discover that laws regarding sexual assault and rape can vary greatly from state to state. When victims of sexual violence seek justice through the legal system, they may be unaware of how their state defines these crimes.
For a viewer, this may be their first time reviewing this type of legislation, prompting them to consider the laws in their state along with the regulations surrounding our bodies and the assaults that are perpetrated upon them. For some, this may be an opportunity to start a conversation about a topic that can be uncomfortable to discuss, as society often keeps these discussions hidden behind a veil of secrecy and shame.
This project is ongoing, and Curtis plans to continue working on it until all 50 states and the District of Columbia are completed. For Curtis, this series has been not only a healing process but also a form of advocacy for victims of sexual violence such as herself.
Maryland; The Free State; The Old Line State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2020. 17.5” x 19.5”
Alabama; The Cotton State; The Yellowhammer State; The Heart of Dixie. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2020. 15'“ x 21.5”
Alaska; The Last Frontier. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2020. 23” x 32”
Arizona; The Grand Canyon State; The Copper State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2022. 20.5” X 30.5”.
Arkansas; The Land of Opportunity; The Natural State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2021. 15” x 23.5”.
California; The Golden State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2023. 18.5” x 30.5”.
Colorado; The Centennial State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2023. 14.5” x 20.75”.
Connecticut; The Constitution State; The Nutmeg State; The Provisions State; The Land of Steady Habits. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2024. 15.5” x 22”.
Delaware; The Blue Hen State; The Diamond State; The First State; The Small Wonder State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2023. 12” x 17.5”.
Florida; The Sunshine State; The Alligator State; The Peninsula State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2024. 15.5” x 23”.
Hawaii; The Aloha State; The Islands of Aloha; The 808 State; Paradise of the Pacific. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2025. 24.5 x 12.
Idaho; The Gem State; The Potato State. Hand embroidery, felt, poetry. 2025. 16.5 x 23.5.