Deborah Johnson, LCSW is an artist, teacher, and writer reminding us of our human divinity and connection to creative-mysticism amidst everyday life.

Deborah Johnson (she/they) is queer Indian-American multidisciplinary self-taught artist and creative care worker based in Boston, Massachusetts. Deborah was born in Chennai, India and grew up in Chicago.

Her experience supporting survivors and individuals coping with trauma as a therapist at Harvard University deeply informs her trauma-informed approach to teaching her yoga and art classes. Her work lives in the in between of therapeutic and expressive art. She has a deep interest in mysticism, ecofeminism, somatics, ritual, and everyday creativity. Central to her art practice is the belief that deepening our relationship to our creativity, community, and the natural world is essential to our political and emotional freedom.

Deborah’s work has been shown at Harvard Ed Portals’ Crossing Gallery, Pao Arts Center, and Boston Figurative Art Center. She has a Masters in Social Work from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oberlin College.

For workshops, commissions, collaborations or other inquiries email: e.deborah.johnson@gmail.com

CREATIVE WORK

Public Art and Installations

Super Bloom, 2023

Bhākti Practice Of The Heart, 2022

Big Heart Energy Zone 3 Scrim Installation, 2020

Illustrations and Paintings

SF LGBT Center

Community Care For Everyone, Bedstuy Strong, 2020

Darlene Jackson New York City Council Campaign, 2020

Press and Writing

Watertown News, Super Bloom At Zine Fest: Several Hundred Come Out To Watertown Library Zine Fest

Boston Globe, Turning Towards Mindfulness

FACILITATION AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

2024, Guest Lecture, Tufts Women’s Symposium

2023, Guest Facilitator, Community Grief Circle, SOAR (South Asians Abortion Resource Network)

2023, Guest Facilitator, BIPOC Sapphic Night, Tufts University – LGBT Center

2023, Guest Speaker and Teacher, Yoga: Caste, Cultural Appropriation, and Your Practice, Tufts University, Women’s Center

2023, Panelist, Title IX Alumni Panel, Oberlin College

2022, Facilitator and Yoga Teacher, Please Touch Museum

2022, Facilitator and Yoga Teacher, Emerson College

2022, Facilitator, Zone 3 Western Ave Arts

2022, Facilitator, Arts Connect International

2021, Facilitator, National Asian American Women’s Forum