Conscious Love: Artist Collaboration with Huascar Medina, Poet T.L. Sanders, & Teresa Dirks
Our conversation began in June 2019. Jeanne Martin, Shanna Steitz and myself began discussing our then titled show “Love Supreme.” The inspiration we discussed was artwork inspired by John Coltrane’s work and vision regarding his revelation and success over a painful addiction. Shanna had an entire sermon series and sabbatical planned over this monumental piece of music. This all felt right and in line with my current work of including text elevating love and asemic writing. I was electrified about this body of work and research to be done over the next year.
A month or so later, over coffee with the dear Maria Vasquez Boyd, she and I brainstormed. Maria suggested an artist collaboration. Such a brilliant idea Maria, thank you. She recommended several artists. There was work to be done and it was exciting to be in the middle of it.
The two incredible poets, Poet T.L. Sanders and Kansas Poet Laureate, Huascar Medina graciously agreed to write and perform poetry for the show here at the Frank Lloyd Wright, Community Christian Church. After months of discussion, research, writing, painting and collaboration, we were almost ready. Poet Sanders came to my studio at the Livestock Exchange Building. We listen to “A Love Supreme,” loud and deeply reverberating over a gorgeous March afternoon. I painted and created. He constructed, performed and practiced. This moment was transcendental, I imagined much like Coltrane when he wrote his historic riff and powered his way through drug addiction and alcohol. The experience was something outside of myself.
April 2020 was our opening date. Then Covid-19 hit. Our show and collaboration came crashing down along with my momentum and inspiration. It was devastating on so many levels. The reality hit: the frightening unknowns surrounding this pandemic, the suffering, the food insecurity, the loss of jobs and economic hardship, the burdened healthcare workers, the isolation, and then came the horrid deaths. Selling and promoting art felt insensitive while others suffered. Additionally, I made a decision to move out of my studio in the Livestock Exchange Building end of July 2020. I put the work away and I forgot it; 2020 was a sabbatical.
Late June 2021, two years following our first discussion, Jeanne reached out again to see if August and September would work for us. We all agreed. I dug out my art, my heart, my files and my notes and began working on this project again.
For the second time, I ordered postcards, we renamed the show and we discussed a change of tone for the show subject. Instead of “Love Supreme”Jeanne suggested to share how and what kept us together during the pandemic. The family helped me brainstorm and we came up with “Conscious Love” because during this time it became increasingly important to consider how we as individuals during this humanitarian crisis could help others. We had to be deliberate. Intimate touch and being together was out, but how could we share love in another way? It became apparent that love was supreme and we could consciously share that love with our world in other ways. The crisis continued and worsened. We witnessed more brutality and we saw more systemic racism. The world became creative with ways to love our brothers and sisters through protest, donating to others and educating our masses through social media. We stood up and figuratively held hands with those suffering. This was and is a time for our love to be conscious and continually grow. My hopes are many and I plead we all are conscious of how to share our love. Thanks for sharing and thanks for caring.
Join us for:
Conscious Love
Art Collaboration
Paintings by Teresa Dirks
Poetry by Huascar Medina and Poet T.L.Sanders
Inspired by John Coltrane's, "A Love Supreme" and our humanity during the pandemic.
Please join us in celebrating
Conscious Love, August 27, 2021,
5-8 p.m. at the historical
Frank Lloyd Wright church,
Community Christian Church
4601 Main Street
Kansas City, MO, 64112
Poetry performance at 6 and 7 p.m.
More info on Facebook and Instagram at Teresa Dirks' Studio. Or info at
teresadirks@gmail.com & teresadirks.com
My love,
Teresa Dirks
