Exhibition: Somatic Alchemy by Samara Johnson

Inner workings of the human body and mind gather throughout the space,reflecting a desire to see beneath the surface. Amorphous shapes represent fascia, the vagus nerve, and internal tissues, capturing the visceral reality of both human and non-human bodies. Through techniques like ripping, layering, and stitching, the forms embody the Polyvagal Theory, suggesting healing of trauma through safe connections that reshape the nervous system’s response to perceived threats.

Incorporating organic materials from prey and herd animals, such as sheep’s wool and horsehair from equine therapy sessions, alongside inorganic elements that abstractly mimic bodily tissues, the network of pieces symbolizes the interplay betweenvulnerability and danger. This blend challenges conventional thinking, inviting viewers to engage with an inside-out perspective that draws on the heightened sensitivity of prey animals, whose instincts are finely tuned to survival.

By merging these diverse materials, a hybrid landscape presents where life anddeath intersect, reflecting the dual experience of being human and animal. The work embodies a psychological topography, evoking both the ancient and contemporary understandings of trauma and survival. It navigates the beauty and horror found in exploring the unknown, from the depths of our own bodies to the mysteries surrounding our mortality.

Samara Johnson:
Samara Johnson was born and raised in Moose Pass, Alaska. She holds an MFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a BFA in Drawing and Painting, and a BA in French from Sonoma State University. Samara’s work is deeply influenced by her upbringing in Alaska, where she developed a profound connection to the natural world, inspiring her use of organic materials such as wool and horsehair in her art. She believes that creating art with these materials allows for a deeper connection to the emotional intelligence of animals and the artistic communities that have come before us. Beyond her artistic practice, Samara engages with her community as both an academic and a volunteer. She is a dedicated educator, having taught at various institutions, including the University of Colorado at Boulder, Metropolitan State University, and the University of Wyoming, where she currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer. Additionally, she volunteers as a horse handler in equine therapy and has taught numerous community art workkshops. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including at the Arvada Center for the Arts, the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, and the Center for Visual Arts in Denver. Samara now resides in Laramie, Wyoming, where she continues to teach at the University of Wyoming, create, and contribute to her community.