K. JOHNSON BOWLES
Artist’s Statement
While this body of work is not about a particular religious belief or canon, the series title takes its name from the St. Veronica legend. It is said Veronica wiped Christ’s face with her veil during his journey carrying the cross. The image of his face miraculously left an impression on the cloth. The series Veronica’s Cloths explores the residual nature of trauma.
“You Heard Wrong (Fools)” is an assemblage sewn on a vintage handkerchief in a manner purposefully pointing to that which is “grandmotherly,” wise, and reflective. The unexpected juxtapositions of familiar materials, emotionally-charged images, and menacing objects (insects, spiders, snakes) are designed to attract and repel the viewer – an uncanny valley.
This artwork represent flashes in the mind’s eye and suggest an untold drama of violation, loss, anger, grief, pain, and shame. The image is a photograph of details from objects in public collections and museums (art, natural history, cemeteries, arboreta, et. al.). These details taken out of context suggest clues to a more complex narrative drama and beg the question, “what happened?” They represent the hauntings of experience, call for justice, and hope for resolution and healing during a time of isolation and injustice.
Previously published in The Indianapolis Review and The American Journal of Poetry
K. Johnson Bowles’ artworks focused identity, social justice, and sexual politics have been showcased in more than 80 exhibitions. Her recent body of work, Veronica’s Cloths, has been published in 50 literary and art magazines both nationally and abroad including The Journal (The Ohio State University), Textile Artist (UK), and decomp journal (Canada). She has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Houston Center for Photography, Visual Studies Workshop, and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She received an MFA from Ohio University and BFA from Boston University. www.kjohnsonbowlesart.com