Weaving Together Beauty From Brokenness: An Artist's Journey Of Trauma Recovery with Erin Hung

A World of Difference

If you're feeling the weight of past trauma and struggling to find healing, then you are not alone! Many individuals have tried traditional methods of healing without finding the relief they seek. Instead of finding validation and empowerment through conventional means, there's a unique path to healing waiting to be discovered through creativity and art.

My special guest is Erin Hung

Erin Hung, an artist residing in Hong Kong, brings two decades of experience in the art and design space, collaborating with prominent global brands such as Chronicle Books, American Greetings, Liberty of London, and Selfridges. Her creative journey, spanning from illustration work to murals and community art, is intertwined with her deep commitment to advocacy. A graduate from Central St. Martins School of Art and Sotheby's Institute in London, Erin's practice now revolves around amplifying voices at the fringes, working closely with mental health organizations and NGOs like UNHCR. Her profound insight into the healing power of creativity, stemming from her own experiences with religious trauma, has led her to spearhead the social media movement "A to Z of trauma recovery," inviting survivors and marginalized communities to heal creatively together. With her compelling art and thoughtful advocacy, Erin is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment.

Therapy is not just for those who are in crisis, although it's definitely for that. But therapy is also a place where you're just stepping into your own skin, figuring out who you are, what it is you're offering to the world around us, and how you're making the world a better place. - Lori Adams Brown

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover the transformative power of healing through creativity and art for personal growth and emotional well-being.
• Uncover the impact of spiritual abuse on faith and explore ways to navigate and heal from this trauma.
• Embrace the role of therapy as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery, unlocking your full potential.
• Navigate the intricate layers of cultural and religious identity, finding empowerment and validation through self-exploration.
• Experience the profound benefits of somatic practices for trauma recovery, fostering a deeper connection between mind and body.
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Impact of Spiritual Abuse

Erin Hung shares her candid experiences of spiritual abuse within her faith community, highlighting an issue that is oftentimes overlooked or swept under the rug. Such experiences can cause an individual to internalize pain and shame, profoundly impacting their perceptions of self and their relationship with their faith. As Erin rightly emphasizes, acknowledging and addressing the impacts of spiritual abuse is crucial in the journey towards healing.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Follow Erin Hung on Instagram at @erinhung_studio to see her beautiful art and stay updated on her latest projects and movements.
• Contribute to the A to Z of trauma recovery movement by using the hashtag #AtoZofTraumaRecovery on social media to share your own creative expressions and join the community of healing and support.
• Explore the A to Z of trauma recovery hashtag on social media to view the diverse and impactful artwork and expressions shared by others in the community.
• Engage in right brain activities such as art, creativity, and expression to process and heal from trauma, allowing yourself to explore your own creative impulses and find healing through artistic endeavors.
• Reach out to Lori Adams-Brown to share your thoughts and experiences, and to connect with others who are navigating similar journeys of healing and recovery.

I think for people, when they say they are not creative or they're not artistically inclined, I want to try and be the person that brings that piece. That's like, maybe if I ignite this match, you might burn a fire. It might kindle a fire that could help you on your way. - Erin Hung

Transformative Power of Healing

Art has a powerful potential to heal, as guest Erin Hung explores in her personal journey of self-discovery and recovery. Channeling our creative impulses can serve as a means of processing personal experiences and finding solace, particularly when navigating trauma. As Erin notes, the exploration of art can foster empowerment, liberation, and ultimately, transformative healing.

If we don't answer to what the creative impulse or the thing that God put inside us and fully explore that, then it's very hard to imagine a way forward for ourselves and for the church. - Erin Hung

Role of Therapy as Catalyst

Therapy, particularly non-verbal modalities such as art and somatic body work, can act as a catalyst for trauma recovery. Erin Hung recounted how these therapeutic methods empowered her to process her personal traumas, finding a language for her experiences that words could not capture. As a creative outlet, therapy can enable an individual unparalleled self-expression, providing a pathway towards understanding, acceptance, and healing.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introducing the Podcast and Guest Erin Hung

00:02:41 - Erin's Journey as an Artist and Advocate

00:10:29 - Cultural Influence on Faith and Interpretation of Scriptures

00:14:28 - Decolonizing Scriptures and Cultural Identity

00:16:17 - Disentangling Cultural Norms and Global Conversations

00:18:23 - Understanding Family Trauma and Shame Culture

00:19:23 - Overcoming Shame and Sharing Personal Trauma

00:20:32 - Decolonizing Faith and Silence

00:21:10 - Healing Through Creativity and Somatic Work

00:27:47 - Experiencing Spiritual Abuse and Gaslighting

00:35:11 - Realization of Making a Difference

00:36:39 - Healing Through Creativity

00:39:39 - The Power of Creativity

00:42:41 - A to Z of Trauma Recovery

00:49:42 - Embracing Beauty and Joy

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introducing the Podcast and Guest Erin Hung

Lori introduces the podcast and guest Erin Hung, an artist living in Hong Kong, known for her illustration work, murals, and community art. Erin's background in the evangelical faith and her journey through religious trauma is also mentioned.

00:02:41 - Erin's Journey as an Artist and Advocate

Erin shares her upbringing in an evangelical family in Hong Kong, her experiences with art and faith, and the cultural pressures she faced as a creative individual within her community. She also discusses the intersection of her faith with her artistic sensibilities.

00:10:29 - Cultural Influence on Faith and Interpretation of Scriptures

Erin delves into the impact of cultural undertones in Chinese churches, specifically the concept of Filio piety and its influence on interpretation of biblical teachings. She reflects on the need to challenge traditional interpretations and explore diverse perspectives within the faith community.

00:14:28 - Decolonizing Scriptures and Cultural Identity

Erin discusses the concept of decolonizing scriptures and its relevance to her own faith experience, particularly in the context of being Chinese and the impact of colonization on cultural identity. She highlights the growing global conversation around colonization and the need for broader understanding.

00:16:17 - Disentangling Cultural Norms and Global Conversations

Erin shares her journey of disentangling cultural norms and understanding the broader historical and global conversations surrounding colonization. She emphasizes the importance of gaining a broader worldview to challenge entrenched cultural dynamics and promote

00:18:23 - Understanding Family Trauma and Shame Culture

Erin discusses the intergenerational trauma within families and the shame culture that perpetuates silence about taboo topics, making others uncomfortable and bringing shame onto oneself and the family.

00:19:23 - Overcoming Shame and Sharing Personal Trauma

Erin shares her openness about discussing personal childhood trauma, acknowledging the potential shame it brings to friends and family, and the collective nature of shame within the community.

00:20:32 - Decolonizing Faith and Silence

Erin delves into the intertwining of faith, church abuse, submission, and shame, highlighting the tendency to silence uncomfortable truths, sweep issues under the rug, and the challenges of decolonizing these ingrained dynamics.

00:21:10 - Healing Through Creativity and Somatic Work

Erin shares her journey of healing through somatic activities like art and gardening, emphasizing how these activities helped her process trauma and connect with her spirituality in a new way.

00:27:47 - Experiencing Spiritual Abuse and Gaslighting

Erin reflects on her experiences of spiritual abuse, gaslighting, and the struggle to find her voice within church settings, ultimately leading to her pursuit of therapy to gain clarity and language for unhealthy dynamics.

00:35:11 - Realization of Making a Difference

Erin reflects on her realization that making a difference does not depend on credentials. She shares her journey of trying to make a difference and the examination of why it wasn't working.

00:36:39 - Healing Through Creativity

Erin discusses her artistic expression as a means of healing. She shares her fear of not leaving a mark in the world and the importance of exploring creativity for healing and personal growth.

00:39:39 - The Power of Creativity

Erin emphasizes the importance of creativity in finding solutions and moving forward. She encourages people to explore their creative impulses and imaginations, highlighting the need for outside-the-box thinking.

00:42:41 - A to Z of Trauma Recovery

Erin introduces the A to Z of trauma recovery movement she started, emphasizing the inclusivity and diversity in the community. She shares how creative expression is a powerful tool for healing and processing trauma.

00:49:42 - Embracing Beauty and Joy

The host reflects on the importance of adding beauty, joy, and hope in life to build resilience in facing hard times. Erin's story serves as a reminder of the power of artistic expression in navigating life's challenges.

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