
I listened deeply to presentations throughout the Parliament, and created spontaneous drawings that reflect the content of each one. My aim is to capture the essence of the Parliament themes in poetic, archetypal images. Through the immediacy of Touch Drawing, I am able to create 5-8 complete works of visual art each hour. The drawings were posted on this page soon after each presentation. If your organization would like to use one of the images, contact me. Prints can be ordered using the code associated with each one. Click on any image to enlarge. Find out about the Parliament of the Worlds’s Religions.
Below is an edited version of my live presentation. After demonstrating Touch Drawing, I share how I came to this approach to creating in conference settings. I share drawings from two plenary sessions and talk about the experience of creating each one. The presentation closes with a selection of drawings created during the Parliament with my crystal bowls and singing.
SEE DRAWINGS DEBORAH CREATED AT THE 2018 PARLIAMENT IN TORONTO
SEE DRAWINGS DEBORAH CREATED AT THE 2015 PARLIAMENT IN SALT LAKE CITY
Opening Ceremony and Plenary
Presenters: Professor Nokuzola Mndende, Zuzana Palovic, Galaikai Patjaljinuk, Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, Grandmother Flordemayo, Mena Suvari, Ann Smith, Nitin Ajmere, Stephen Avino, Scott Stearman, Dr jane Goodall, Rabbi David Rosen, His Eminence Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Ming Hua Lin, Swami Ishatmananda, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, Rev. Lawrence Koichi Barrish, Shirin Ebadi, Faisal Bin Abdulrahman Bin Muaammar, Kehkashan Basu, Rev. Paulette Pipe, Bishop William E. Swing, Naeem Baig, Azza Karam, Carl Murrel, Ravi Sing, Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, Samani Jayant, Samani Sanmati Pragya, Samani Sanmati Pragya
Plenary 1: Grief
Presenters: Imam Saffet Catovic, Rabbi Angela, Sirena Huang, Joshtrom Isaac, Soraya M. Deen, Manohar Grewal, The Very Reverend Kelly Brown Douglas, Vy Higginsen, Rev. Angie Buchanan, Sheik Moafaq Tarif, Most Respected Muni Shri 108 Praman Sagar Ji Maharaj, Michael Trice, David Oliver King, Rev. Barbara Becker, Diane Berk, Andreas Erich Jachmann
Chardi Kala: The Spirit of Joy in a World on Fire and Circle for Plant Earth
Technical difficulties cause the Chadi Kala session to end early, so I joined Circle for Planet Earth later.
Spirit of Joy: Tarina Ahuja, Alieu Pusah, Madhumitha Chandrasekaran,
Circle for Planet Earth: River Higginbotham, Anji Wieserman, Dree Amandi, Jerrie Hildebrand, Selena Fox, Debra Gilbert, Judith Seizys, Andrew Bear, Rev. Charlotte Bear, Casey Pope, Dennis Carpenter, Petrucia Finkler, Laura Gonza
Plenary 2: Hope and Inspiration
Ven. Dhammadipa Sak, Karen Armstrong, OBE FRSL, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Marianne Williamson, George Cork Maul, Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Rabbi Michael Balinsky, María Fernanda Espinosa, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, Zerbanoo Gifford, John Pawlikowski, Yacop Cohen, Jean Houston, His Holiness Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni Ji, Thomas Lemberg
The Wisdom and prayers of the Indigenous Grandmother’s at this Time of Crisis
Unci Rita Long Vistor Holy Dance, Sande Hart, Elder YeYe Luisah Teish, Grandmother Flordemayo
Plenary 3: Compassion in Action
Shanta Premawardhana, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Rev. James Lawson, Rev. William Barber, Vi Higginsen, Bruce Knotts, Maya Tiwari, Eboo Pattel, Mallika Kuar, Sunship Awakeneers, Atmarpit Nemiji, Steve Sarowitz, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Andrew Harvey, Paul Knitter, Soraya M. Deen, Sri Dasmesh Band, Andreas Erich Jachman, Gaurav Ajmera
In Search of the New Compassionate Male: Part 1
Clay Boykin, Sara Jamil, Dennis Tardan, William Keepin, Karambu Ringera, Cynthia Brix, Richard Tarnas, Donna Mills
Dismantling Patriarchy in the World’s Religions
Susan Strouse, Sridevi Ramanathan, Elaine Donlin, Leili First, Rabbi Mychal Copeland
Closing Ceremony: Open Our Hearts to the Future of the World
Charline Manuel, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Kusumita Pedersen, Terry Tempest Williams, Vandana Shiva, Phyllis Curott, Yangjin Lamu, Baba Wande Abimbola, Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Bhai Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, Jonathan Granoff, Dr Karan Singh, Dolly Dastoor, His Eminence Muḥammad ˁAbdur-Raḥmān Muḥam, His Eminence Muḥammad ˁAbdur-Raḥmān Muḥam, Andrew Harvey, David Hales, Stephen Avino, Nitin Ajmera, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Vi Higginsen, Andreas Erich Jachmann
Deborah: These are so powerful and moving. I can feel the energy of the images swirling and circulating and know they are emissaries of peace, healing and well-being. Thank you for the incredible work you do and for sharing it with the world. In harmony and peace, Chris
Dear Chris, thank you so much for being with the images with such deep attention. Sometimes it feels to me like people glaze over with so many and don’t really take them in. with love and gratitude, Deborah