Pure to Pieces

PURE TO PIECES

(On Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts)

In 2020 I noticed a trend in conversations I was having with friends and artists about sexual abuse and sexual identity and found that many of them attributed the obsession, repression, and shame of these things to the Christian culture they grew up in. I was already making art having to do with these topics and decided to start up a podcast to record these conversations, have experts on, and make art with each podcast participant. Pure to Pieces is a two-part project including a podcast and art exhibition thanks to the Kentucky Foundation for Women. In the podcast, I (Morgan McGill) talk with guests about their perspectives of sexuality within religion. Each participant contributes art to the project that will be exhibited at Mellwood Art Center through December 30, 2021. These conversations take place in order to heal, connect, and transform our mindsets about our underlying beliefs. I hope this work informs the larger public that there are many people who have been hurt and abused by religion (particularly when it comes to sexuality) and show the healing place of art in people’s lives.

For the one year anniversary of the podcast, Julie Longest has a mother-daughter conversation with Morgan. Julie talks about the messiness of family, nuances of modesty, and how she left evangelicalism while her family was still there. She explains what it was like deciding on her own truth and talks about passing on empowerment through the family. Connect with Julie @bentfeatherpottery.

Tessi is a student researcher on purity culture. She explains how important education and experience are in leading to healthy relationships. She talks about her interest in trauma at the intersection of religion and sexuality and how she is gentle with who she used to be and who she is now. Connect with Tessi at www.thebarefootjourney.com.

Dr. Amra Sabic El-Rayess explains what it was like growing up in Bosnia & Herzegovina during the Bosnian Genocide. She talks about the courses she offers at Columbia University that examine social transformation and moral resilience. Her online program, "Reimagine Resilience," teaches educators how to navigate classroom conversations about acceptance and othering. Amra and Morgan talk about how to be religious without being extreme and why her students find her so inspiring. Register for the Reimagine Resilience program for free at: https://reimagineresilience.org (courses start July 2022).

ARTIST TALK: Portia talks to Morgan about gathering objects for her intriguing installations and how the idea started on residency at Fine Arts Work Center. Portia explains how ideals and expectations of women have changed from her point of view over her lifetime and how interconnected the environment is with feminism. Portia has exhibited everywhere from Bryant Park Subway Station to Mass MOCA, Art Basel, and PPOW Gallery. Follow Portia @portiamunson on instagram to see when and where her next exhibitions are on view and check out her 21C installation in Louisville (through January 2023).

Liv tells their story of growing up with scoliosis and a lot of faith and the things that helped them believe they could trust their body once they listened to it. As a recent MA graduate, Liv studies and researches the complex nuances in christian and non christian culture and how most things don't have a definitive answer. Reach Liv @livcurved on instagram or livcurved.com.

Bradley tells Morgan about his story of growing up evangelical, becoming a pastor, and then realizing that wasn't for him when he got away from home in his travels. The two talk about the forming of new ethics when you no longer rely on the Bible to inform those ethics and the writing of Bradley's new book that will come out January 2023. To see more of Bradley's work, go to straightwhiteamericanjesus.com or https://www.skidmore.edu/religious_studies/faculty/onishi.php.

ARTIST TALK: Marcella talks to Morgan about her new body of paintings using alter-egos to talk about anatomy and psychology. The two talk about their love for Italy and an old tradition using cellophane. Marcella is based in Austin, TX and is looking for new models all the time! Check her work out @marcellaispainting on instagram.

ARTIST TALK: Emilia talks to Morgan in detail about some of her paintings and how she hopes to continue to inspire young girls through her art. Emilia explains how closely tied her mental health is to her artistic processes. She recounts what it was like growing up Catholic and gives advice to emerging artists today. Emilia works as an artist in Simi Valley, California where her art has been featured on "Gentified" and "Selena the Series" on Netflix as well as "Ser Humano" on CNN. Check out more of her work and her cool tiendita at emiliacruz.com or follow her on instagram @cruzemilia.

Andreya is a sex therapist writing a curriculum for women recovering from purity culture. Andreya tells Morgan about growing up in a missionary family in Papa New Guinea and why her story led her to pursue sex therapy. She talks about how to educate young kids on consent and body language and how visual art is impactful in her practice. See what Dreya is up to @dreya_9. *Trigger warning: we discuss sexual abuse.

Jon tells Morgan about growing up going to different churches in the south and how he now lives in California as a writer. Jon explains how he can fully express himself in his writing and the two talk about the show "Sex Education." Follow Jon and his writing @jonlmartin on instagram.

ARTIST TALK: Vaidehi tells Morgan about art as her life source while suffering an autoimmune disorder. Vaidehi explains the difference in patriarchy in India vs. the U.S. and how she transitioned into the New York lifestyle 13 years ago. She is currently working on an NFT project curated by Paris Hilton and explains how she believes visual art resonates with people. See Vaidehi's art @vaidehikinkhabwala.

Melissa is a Psychotherapist with a focus on spirituality. Melissa and Morgan talk about the positive and negative affects of therapists telling clients what kinds of safe spaces they provide. Melissa talks about poetry as an art form she loves and how she finds beauty in the world. She speaks to the importance of women's pleasure and how it is related to mental health.

Elissa is getting her PhD in researching purity culture- including how it shows up in handbooks of universities throughout the U.S. Elissa tells Morgan about getting fired for teaching different pronouns for god and what life has been like since getting divorced. Both Elissa and Morgan talk about coming out to themselves and how sexuality needs to be celebrated. Read Elissa's poetry on instagram @elissa.writes.

ARTIST TALK: Kathy talks to Morgan about knowing she was bisexual when she was 5 years old and how art has been a constant in her life since a young age. She explains how this led her to become an art therapist and collaborate with artists today. Kathy has an art show up at Mellwood Art Center in Louisville, KY till Dec. 1st. DM Kathy for art inquiries @kathythekaptain on instagram.

In this educational conversation, Mary talks about her historical examination of the ex-gay movement and same sex attracted evangelicals navigating their faith. Mary tells Morgan about growing up Pentecostal and Baptist and how her crisis of faith hit at 27 years old when she came to terms with her sexuality. The two talk about land lesbians, extreme thinking, holding contradicting thoughts in our heads, and how Brandi Carlile is the best artist ever. Connect with Mary @mary_gently on instagram.

Sara talks about writing her second book and her focus on how white supremacy perpetuates purity culture and vice versa. Sara tells Morgan about the time in her life when her thinking changed and she eventually decided to go to seminary. She talks about the art of gardening and explains "blackout poetry" as an artistic method for healing. Find Sara @saramoslener on instagram.

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ARTIST TALK: Eleanor talks about mental health and the art therapy club she started. She tells Morgan about different ways artists are bartering today and what kind of impact her Pride t-shirts have made. Eleanor started New Grooves Gallery and talks about the artists involved. Visit Eleanor's website at eleanorcowell.com.

Perrin talks to Morgan about applying for divinity school while being openly queer. The two talk about boundaries and how purity culture does more harm than good. They end with talking about curiosity and making new rules for yourself.