As an artist, my identity has evolved as part sculptor, cultural worker, peace activist, and educator. I grew up in Mumbai, India, influenced by an artist father - an ardent follower of Gandhi’s teachings - and a social activist mother. This combination of art and activism has been a major thread of influence that is interwoven into my art and life. For me, creating objects in the studio goes hand in hand with site specific installation and interactive, community-engaged projects. Community art projects have dominated my practice for the last three decades. They are rooted in my passion to make art part of everyday life, to involve local voices and communities in the art process, and to cultivate peace as individual action.
Much of my inspiration comes from transitory, ritualistic Indian folk art practices which I've used to address issues of labor, domestic violence, nonviolence, and health education, adapting them to operate within contemporary experiences thus evolving a hybrid version of the original traditions. As a result, my work has always been informed by my experience of life in both the US and India.
The numerous studio artwork and community engaged projects that I have presented over the last three decades reflect these influences as they explore an array of social issues including the cultural dimension of domestic violence, leprosy health education, labor, the environment, gender, peace, nonviolence, and literacy. They follow the “call and response” tradition that is prevalent in many cultures. I put out a call, and the community responds so that the final artwork is a hybrid that depends on and is completed by community interaction.
Much of my inspiration comes from transitory, ritualistic Indian folk art practices which I've used to address issues of labor, domestic violence, nonviolence, and health education, adapting them to operate within contemporary experiences thus evolving a hybrid version of the original traditions. As a result, my work has always been informed by my experience of life in both the US and India.
The numerous studio artwork and community engaged projects that I have presented over the last three decades reflect these influences as they explore an array of social issues including the cultural dimension of domestic violence, leprosy health education, labor, the environment, gender, peace, nonviolence, and literacy. They follow the “call and response” tradition that is prevalent in many cultures. I put out a call, and the community responds so that the final artwork is a hybrid that depends on and is completed by community interaction.
Shanti Foundation and Changing Worlds
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Influenced by an artist father and a mother, who was a social activist, Indira Freitas Johnson believes strongly that art and activism are a powerful combination for social change. In 1993, in response to the rise of ethnic violence the world over, she started Shanti Foundation for Peace, a Chicago area arts based non-profit organization, that fosters the practice of non-violence in everyday life.
In 2011, Shanti Foundation merged with Changing Worlds, a like minded organization. Shanti programs are now offered under the Changing Worlds umbrella.
Changing World’s Mission: To foster peace, acceptance, and understanding in the everyday interactions of people, by bringing visual, literary, and performing arts programs to schools and communities.
Changing World’s Goal: To assist communities with issues of diversity and inclusiveness and to help all people succeed and contribute in a diverse society by providing creative experiences which develop imaginative, flexible, inclusive, collaborative thinking.
Learn more about the work of Shanti Foundation and Changing Worlds at http://www.changingworlds.org/
In 2011, Shanti Foundation merged with Changing Worlds, a like minded organization. Shanti programs are now offered under the Changing Worlds umbrella.
Changing World’s Mission: To foster peace, acceptance, and understanding in the everyday interactions of people, by bringing visual, literary, and performing arts programs to schools and communities.
Changing World’s Goal: To assist communities with issues of diversity and inclusiveness and to help all people succeed and contribute in a diverse society by providing creative experiences which develop imaginative, flexible, inclusive, collaborative thinking.
Learn more about the work of Shanti Foundation and Changing Worlds at http://www.changingworlds.org/
CONTACT
Indira Freitas Johnson
917 Fowler Ave,
Evanston, IL 60202
email: johnsonindira@gmail.com
VIEW INDIRA JOHNSON'S CURRICULUM VITAE
917 Fowler Ave,
Evanston, IL 60202
email: johnsonindira@gmail.com
VIEW INDIRA JOHNSON'S CURRICULUM VITAE