Home to Her

Making Divinely Inspired Art with Verlena Johnson

Episode Summary

What is the connection between art and the sacred – and specifically the Sacred Feminine? This is the question I explore with my latest guest, Verlena Johnson. Verlena is a multimedia artist whose work includes drawing, painting, sculpture, puppetry, performance and video. Drawing inspiration from mysticism, spirituality, feminism, queer theory and popular culture, much of Verlena’s artwork is about healing and represents a visual embodiment of Love. Verlena holds Master’s degrees in Afro-American Studies and in Sculpture. She has also studied wood carving, and has exhibited her work in Chicago; Oakland, CA; Madison, WI; and New York. On today’s episode we explore the connection between creativity and divinity, Verlena’s artistic inspirations, including Faith Ringgold, Audre Lorde and others, and the power of art to both heal and access deeper meaning in our lives.

Episode Notes