“My art pursues the beauty of realization rather than perfect beauty.” + “My work/art is a communication vehicle.” + CATHERINE L. JOHNSON

BLACKWINGEDNIGHT                                                          Catherine L. Johnson 2007

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“My art pursues the beauty of realization rather than perfect beauty.” Catherine L. Johnson X X X X X All of my life I have known an inviolable place of inner freedom containing: earth; pieces of washed clear blue skies; brilliant unfolding blooms; wings of flight; the color and arcs of rainbows; the hallelujah chorus of wind, rain and rivers;  and the white glistened silence of ice.  X X X X X X This was my chrysalis: My life was baptized in hospitals, a place where time and space was defined as waiting, compassion and hope.  No flag of creed, race, religion, gender, or social rank was raised.  We were horizontal breathing beds. I lived in a body cast with a shaven head.  Visitors were allowed once a week for two hours and touching was forbidden – like an art museum with limited hours.  X X X X X I was a broken Ming vase re-created with expert hands and a heartspine vision. X X X X X My life began in the environs and culture of hospitals,  places where the human theater and universal realities of life and death  are played out moment-to- moment,  and where time and space is suspended and is redefined as waiting, compassion and meditative.  I have tasted the first inhalation – the breath of new life;  caressed the full sweeping breath of love and joy; impaled by the heavy, choking breath of grief; and  touched the final exhalation – the final breath of life. X X  My art bears the viewer to the transcendent moment of an epiphany.  The moment when one’s heart is suddenly set open and rapt,  when all the senses are heralded and keen,  and then, in the theatre of the heart,  a cloak slowly and gradually rises and, at once,  all the world is seen in gleaming light, simple and innocent clarity,  and  all becomes whole.  A forever and eternal moment is imprinted. X X X X X My art is a spiritual, a gospel song – call and response. X X X X X   Art is a communication vehicle. X X X X X My work is awake to the invisible, visceral, and universal –the very life of life. My art is my breath. My art is my wing.   X X X X X An actual encounter of my art is the authentic experience  for it is an interacting conversation, a dialogue of revelation between the art and the viewer. An artist is a vehicle of the divine and a shaman. I create as visual artist, a writer, a sonic composer, and a social/creative entrepreneur that asks questions to move, deepen and broaden humanity forward. X X X X X X My art/creative explorations is of attending to humanity, calling out the angels in our nature, and move beyond the arbitrary/institutionalized boundaries that separate and divide the beauty of our humanity. We all breathe the SAME oxygen. My work addresses internal and external contemporaneous social issues. X X I am an ARTIST. The ONLY flag and hurricane lamp I uphold is toward a wider HUMANITY of inclusion and integration. My work addresses social justice issues, yet I do not politicize my art. My art IS a communication vehicle to engage/inspire/provoke dialogue, negotiation and greater comprehension and compassion. I do NOT identify with any labeling except: HUMAN. My life story shaped the ship, and, because of my life story, I enter challenging and turbulent waters. I practice courage and compassion and the values of moral intelligence. I am a social entrepreneur. My works open up, breaks open and creates NEW blueprints/paradigms/concepts/choreography of living and expanding the definition of being A/LIVE and PRESENT. X The practice of CALL and RESPONSE is a discipline- difficult.   Listening, truly and deeply listening to another is an art and has the capacity to change the world. Listening without “labeling” the other, without excluding the other and without segregating the other- THAT is art. THAT discipline and practice is being fully human and sacred. Improvisational dialogue is THE art of truly listening: CALL and RESPONSE. To lose: one’s filters, let go, not see one’s claimed shoreline and need to label is moving forward. X X X X X   I was nominated for the INSIDE/OUT Lowertown Project – an international project.  A 52” H x 36” W poster of my portrait was installed outside on a downtown wall.   X X  X The following links are testaments of my art as communication vehicles that address the shared infinite human experience and contemporaneous social injustices. X My life shaped the ship that gave me the capacity to cross turbulent waters with honor, respect and grace. X X X Please click on the following links, placed in chronological order, and SCROLL DOWN for their content.   X  Catherine L. Johnson, ARTIST https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/about/ X My works are modeled on gospel and   accessing the well of the Divine within me.   Call / The Artist’s Response X X X   11 September 2001 / Ecumenical memorial service at  the Wayzata Community Church SEPTEMBER 2001 QUARTET http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/11-september-2001-one-four-original-works X X X Hurricane Katrina Pine Tree: HOPE 2005 series https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/the-city-of-scottsdale-selected-my-pine-tree-hope-2005-as-the-citys-2012-holiday-season-promotion-hurricane-katrina-an-international-display-of-humiliation-wherewhen-the-unconscious-fortress/  X X X Haiti’s Earthquake SPARROW 2009 series https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/sparrow-fly-my-heart-free-catherine-l-johnson-2010-deafening-despair-call-and-response-the-sparrow-is-a-symbol-of-the-beloved/  http://www.bebopified.com/2010/09/rene-marie-sings-truth-at-dakota.html  X X X SAFETY + HOPE THERE IS MORE FOR YOU #1  2010 -work chosen to accompany national prize winning poem http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/nest-there-more-you-1-2010 X X X Japan’s Tsunami and Earthquake JAPAN MEDITATIONS 2011 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/peace-on-earth-john-coltrane-live-in-japan-1966-2508-japan-meditatations-catherine-l-johnson-2011/  X X X Arab Spring EGYPT 11 FEBRUARY 2011 http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/egypt-11-february-2011  X X X  THE HALL OF LAMENT: STAND YOUR GROUND FOR TRAYVON MARTIN 2012 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/hall-of-lament-stand-your-ground-for-trayvon-martin-call-out-for-social-justice-moral-couragetruth-2012-st-paul-spring-art-crawl/ http://www.mintpressnews.com/stand-your-ground-sybrina-and-tracy-martin-fight-for-justice-for-trayvon/164383/  X X X Health insurance HEAL/THY ARTISTS FORUM 2013 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/healthy-artists-forum-6-february-2013-health-insurance-for-artists-presenters-mncare-medical-assistance-downtown-ymca-event-creatormoderator-catherine-l-johnson/  X X X Civil Rights + Children  IWISHIKNEW 2011 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/prove-gallery-text-exhibition-8-march-2013-text-showcases-19-selected-american-artists-the-exhibition-features-work-that-is-either-text-based-or-incorporates-text-catherine-l-johnson/  X X X My 911 call: “There has been an assault, the victim is down and was repeatedly kicked in the head! “ Dispatcher: “What color is the victim?” Me: “The color of blood is red!”  ISAIAH  – an installation with audio   2013 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/isaiah-and-first-light-night-multimedia-installation-catherine-l-johnson-dan-choma-spring-2013-st-paul-art-crawl/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/4-march-2013-what-color-what-difference-does-it-make-911-human-i-do-not-understand-why-people-insist-on-creating-boxes-genres-boundaries-soul-is-not-bound/  X X X NOTE: this entry received hundreds of views worldwide. BDSM claimed as an art form and private sexual behavior. BDSM was practiced within a residential building I live in.   Shrieks of pain heard by non-consenting neighbors   were experienced as Domestic Violence. How does violence, shrieks of pain and/or the suffering of others inspire art? Dominance + Submission 2013 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/to-dream-the-impossible-dream-my-anthem-as-a-young-girl-can-violence-become-an-art-form-diddoes-picassos-guernica-1937-inspire-violence-can-you-hear-the-shrieks-did-the-silent-shriek/  X X X The 50th Anniversary of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I HAVE A DREAM and March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs / THE HUMANITY PORTFOLIO 2013 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/fifteen-paintings-28-august-2013-the-humanity-portfolio-28-august-2013-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-march-on-washington-for-freedom-jobs-rev-dr-martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-s/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/25-26-27-april-2014-st-paul-art-crawl-last-painting-of-the-humanity-portfolio-exodusimf X X X The shape of women’s issues https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/republished-13-october-2013-the-truth-of-me-is-in-your-wing-of-motion-moving-forward-september-12-2011-by-catherine-l-johnson/ HERHYMNS: https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/herhymns-portfolio-2013-1-bemylullaby-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/herhymns-portfolio-2013-2-bebraveiwillsingtoyou-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/herhymns-portfolio-2013-3-listenplaceyourhand-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/herhymns-portfolio-2013-4-danceseehowmylaugh-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/herhymns-portfolio-2013-5-firemydreamsarea-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/herhymns-portfolio-2013-6-forgiveiwillgiveyour-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/herhymns-portfolio-2013-7-nightdidyouswallowthe-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/herhymns-portfolio-2013-8-touchmetouchmy-i-dive-for-pearls-that-are-shining-deep-within-no-smoke-and-mirrors-nor-doppelgangers-are-welcomed/ X X X Resilence  Gingko WINGS portfolio 2013-2014 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/ginkgo-wings-portfolio-2013-2014-ginkgo-wings-riseriseirisewewillriserise-2014-ginkgo-symbol-of-hope-tenacity-profound-endurance-maria-callas-sempre-libera-la-traviata/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/visibleinvisible-scars-of-abuse-institutionalized-perpetrators-silent-complicity-moral-obligation-cowardice-accountability-truth-breaking-free-couragestronger-than-you-think-you-a/ X X X Note: This entry received hundreds of views worldwide, and continues to be viewed. “DISABLED” marginalization v. dominant culture   “DIFFERENTLY-ABLED“ + Do YOU play the violin equally to Itzhak Perlman  2014  https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/disability-disrespect-can-you-play-the-violin-equally-to-itzhak-perlman-no-does-that-mean-you-are-disabled-what-is-essential-is-invisible-to-the-eye-the-little-prince/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/hip-hand-heart/   X X X LOVE + BEAUTY + ANAM CARA is a boundless energy of Amazing Grace ALLTHETHINGSYOUARE  2014 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/29/allthethingsyouare-i-x-portfolio-summer-2014-catherine-l-johnson/ X ROWINGINEDEN  2015 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/rowingineden-2015-catherine-l-johnson-wild-nights-wild-nights-emily-dickinson/ X X X Cross-fertilization of 3 synergistic venues of improvisation  THE AUTOMATIC MESSAGE exhibition @ INSTINCT ART GALLERY 2014 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/9-20-14-11-1-14-the-automatic-message-exhibition-instinct-the-dakota-kbem-a-premiere-confluencejam-session-of-3-premier-venues-of-improvisationcreative-courage/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/onlyonlyonlyonly-4days-4u-3days-4u-2days-4u-1days-4u-2c-the-automatic-message-the-4321-to-the-closing-of-the-automatic-message-instinct-904-nicollet-mall-what-you-see-is-based-on-who-you/ X X X Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Black Male American Youth  CIVIL RIGHTS MATTER IN AMERICA https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/civil-rights-matter-civil-rights-matter-civil-rights-matter-march-on/   X X X X X HUMANLY POSSIBLE: THE EMPATHY EXHIBITION  INSTINCT ART GALLERY  / NOVEMBER 2015 – JANUARY 2016 https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-21-november-2015-16-january-2016-press-release/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/the-opening-21-november-2015-instinct-art-gallery-opens-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-the-call-response-of-honorable-relationships-that-creates-beauty/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/review-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-the-path-to-empathy-by-mpls-star-tribune-art-critic-mary-abbe-published-new-year-s-day-2016/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-21-november-2015-16-january-2016-freshdriedbloodiamhuman-2013-catherine-l-johnson-the-humanity-port/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/11/08/humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-21-november-2015-16-january-2016-herhymns-be-brave-2013-catherine-l-johnson-singing-is-a-balm-to-the-distressed/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/nest-foryoutruthismywing-catherine-l-johnson-2010-nest-foryoumygiftisnothiding-catherine-l-johnson-2010-16-january-2016-closing-date-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibiti/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/the-writings-herhymns-be-brave-lullaby-i-thou-poem-a-lullaby-for-a-lover-catherine-l-johnson-interdisciplinary-artist-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/12/11/iwishiknew-2011-catherine-l-johnson-mindless-menace-of-violence-robert-f-kennedy-5-april-1968-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/11/28/humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-mpls-herhymns-forgive-i-will-give-catherine-l-johnson-2012-thelonious-monk-dont-blame-me-1966-livedenmark/ https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/pine-tree-hope-2005-catherine-l-johnson-serenitycourage-to-changeprayer-xenophobia-america-wasis-an-innovation-an-ongoing-experimentimprovisation-of-freedom-humanly-possible-the-empa/ X X X X X X X X

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Thank you.

Catherine

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ROWINGINEDEN  #4                                                                   Catherine L. Johnson 2015

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