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Sister Mary Corita Kent: The Nun Goes Modern

March 1, 2024

The Nun Goes Modern

Born in 1918, Corita Kent was an artist, educator, and advocate for social justice.
 
At age 18 she entered the religious order Immaculate Heart of Mary. Known as Sister Mary Corita, she began teaching, eventually becoming the head the art department at Immaculate Heart College. 
 
During the course of her career, Kent's artwork evolved from using figurative and religious imagery to incorporating advertising images and slogans, popular song lyrics, biblical verses, and literature. 
Sister Mary Corita Kent (American, 1918-1986)
Thoreau "If man does not keep pace with his companions..."
Color Lithograph
22 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches
Signed Lower Right
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
"If man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music he hears however measured or far away"
Henry David Thoreau
Throughout the ‘60s, her work became increasingly political, urging viewers to consider poverty, racism, and social injustice.

In 1966, The Los Angeles Times named Sister Mary Corita one of their nine Women of the Year. The following year, she was profiled on the Christmas cover of Newsweek Magazine in their feature story titled "The Nun: Going Modern." By 1968, Kent left the order and moved to Boston. 
Sister Mary Corita Kent (American, 1918-1986)
We don't turn out perfect people - where there's life there's mud
Color Lithograph
14 1/2 x 29 3/4 inches
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
After 1970, Kent's work evolved into a sparser, introspective style, influenced by living in a new environment, a secular life, and her battles with cancer.

In 1983, she received a commission to create a series of billboards for Physicians for Social Responsibility. Titled “we can create life without war," Kent cited the project as "the most religious thing" she had ever done. She remained active in social causes until her death in 1986. 
 
At the time of her death, she had created almost 800 serigraph editions, thousands of watercolors, and innumerable public and private commissions.
Sister Mary Corita Kent (American, 1918-1986)
Leo Baeck "and a spirit is characterized..."
Edition of 250
Color Lithograph
21 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches
Signed Lower Right
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

"and a spirit is characterized not only by what it does, no less, by what it permits, what it forgives, and what it beholds in silence."
Leo Baeck
 

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