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