The Nun That Changed Pop Art

November 20 Google Banner

So some of you may notice how Google on occasion changes the banner image on their homepage based on commemoration of certain events. Well this past Thursday they caught my eye. The image above was displayed with the text to the right reading "to understand is to stand under which is to look up to which is a good way to understand"...

I may be easily amused, but that text to me was profound. The looseness in the words arrangement, the intentional lack of any punctuation in a sort of run-on tone, and of course the message. It was true and humble. I had to find out who this was. And I gotta say my discovery took me by surprise.

Sister Mary Corita Kent

I clicked on the banner and discovered Sister Mary Corita Kent... Sister. As in "nun." An artist, and a nun. And her art was amazing. What I discovered is that she was a very influential person in the pop art movement and had an incredible teaching style to her students in Los Angeles.

This was all such an eye opening experience for me. I've struggled at times with wondering if my faith in a God would cause those who don't to disregard my art as some attempt at propaganda. And if those who share my faith would see my art as heresy because it doesn't fit into some churchy package. I take pride in the honesty of my work, the moments of darkness, and moments of hope. I like that it is raw, and messy, and not fake toward truth (if that makes sense).

So I was inspired. By a nun. That transformed pop art in Los Angeles in the 40s. She didn't do "church" art. She did "truth" art. And because of that and her ability to see the world and affectively communicate her perceptions to others, she was also not only accepted but revered within the art community. Truly someone to aspire to.

If you'd like to find out more about Corita Kent, there is a great YouTube video you can watch here:http://youtu.be/15YDYbNk570