Artist Reception: Clare Johnson

Sunday, March 5, 1–3 p.m.

“And Depths I Cannot See,” an exhibition of art banners by Clare Johnson, is currently on display in the UUC chapel. You are invited to meet the artist and learn more about her work at a reception this coming Sunday. In addition to the large banners, several of her drawings are on display and others will be available for sale at the reception.

These striking art banners were originally created for a public art project inspired by Pacific Northwest elders’ memories around water. For the installation, local seniors and self-identified community elders shared their personal associations and experiences around water. Words on the banners are all quoted directly from people’s responses.

Johnson’s intricate hand-drawn art explores their answers in more open-ended ways—nodding to real places and details from individual memories, while also imagining scenery that more symbolically represents people’s perspectives. Between the quotes and countless layers of detail in the drawings, every community member who responded is included in the installation in some way, with each banner interweaving aspects of many different people’s experiences. During a time when people had been isolated physically, unlikely to meet in person, within the art they were nevertheless brought together. Much like glimpsing other worlds below the water’s surface, Johnson’s project aims to uncover intimacy and connection, even when we’re strangers. For more information about artist Clare Johnson, visit @clare.e.johnson on Instagram or www.instagram.com/clare.e.johnson.

The art exhibit runs through April 1. World Water Day, on March 22, falls during this time. The UUC Climate Action Team and Art Committee are offering UUCers some hands-on service activities to enhance water quality in local salmon streams as a way to celebrate World Water Day. Please see the Volunteer: World Water Day Activities post for more information.