I am an artist and educator originally from India, who has lived and worked in the Chicago area for over twenty years while maintaining close ties with India. The influences of my mother, a social activist and my father, an artist and a follower of the philosophy of Gandhi have been predominant in my life and art.
As an artist, my identity has evolved as part sculptor, cultural worker, peace activist and educator. For me art and life are interwoven so that 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 two decades. They are rooted in my passion to make art part of everyday life and to involve local voices and communities in the art process.
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 art work 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 art—work is a hybrid that depends on and is completed by community interaction.
As an artist, my identity has evolved as part sculptor, cultural worker, peace activist and educator. For me art and life are interwoven so that 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 two decades. They are rooted in my passion to make art part of everyday life and to involve local voices and communities in the art process.
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 art work 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 art—work 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