Ep. 227: I Met God and Her Name is Barbara "Willy" Mendes
About this episode
Jason Louv interviews artist Barbara Mendes about her artistic journey and spiritual evolution.
Jason Louv interviews Barbara Mendes, a multifaceted artist known for her underground comics and contemporary art. Mendes, affectionately known by her pen name Willie Mendes, recounts her artistic journey that began in the 1960s, during a time when female artists often faced discrimination and marginalization. She reflects on the challenges that women artists experienced, noting that much of the comic book industry, as well as the fine arts, was dominated by men. Despite these obstacles, Mendes pursued her passion for painting, which she describes as her true love. Throughout the conversation, Mendes reveals her spiritual evolution, which has shifted from exploring Eastern philosophies and African spirituality to embracing Orthodox Judaism later in her life. She shares anecdotes about her family history rooted in rabbinical tradition and discusses her initial rejection of religious teachings as superstition. However, her spiritual quest led her back to her Jewish roots, guided by a longing for faith and connection. Mendes recounts how significant events, such as the influence of various books on mysticism and spirituality, shaped her understanding of Judaism and inspired her art…
People in this episode
Host: Jason Louv
Guest: Barbara Mendes
Topics covered
- art
- spirituality
- feminism
- Judaism
- comics
- cultural history
Keywords
- Barbara Mendes
- art
- spirituality
- Judaism
- comics
- feminism
- cultural history
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