Instead I See the Stars

1405 Williams Street,Chattanooga TN 37408

23 July, 2021

Description

Can we find spirituality outside of religion? Can we begin again and approach God as an entity of love rather than vengeance? This body of w An emphatic response to a traumatic religious upbringing, Instead I See the Stars explores how oppressive faith culture can suppress true spirituality. This collection of poetry on mixed media asks if the undercurrent of evangelical Christianity in the South should reckon with the harm it has so subtly and consistently done to souls in the pews. The work is autobiographical, a physical representation of the unpacking of spiritual trauma and how it informs our perception of the world. Apart from detailing a personal journey, the goal of this collection is to shed light on how harmful dogma creates a generational ripple effect of unworthiness. Can we find spirituality outside of religion? Can we begin again and approach God as an entity of love rather than vengeance? This body of work suggests that the community built through art can spawn spiritual resilience and the reclaiming of Self. It will challenge you to embrace change, consider errancy, and look up to the heavens without fear.