Two-color serigraph by Corita Kent As a teacher, she was known as a challenger, a free-thinker, a celebrator, an encourager! She taught her students that one of the most important rules, when looking at art or watching films, was never to allow yourself to blink! One might miss something extremely valuable. And what the students cherished most about her competence as a teacher was that she always, always had eye-contact with each individual, giving herself to each charge entirely.
Though she was a multifaceted artist, her real love was serigraphy, the art of silk screen print making. She was a master! She enjoyed the astonishing effects of combining words with colorful images; they never ceased to astound her sensations. As she and the times changed, so did her art; reflecting the directions in which the world was moving.
Perhaps becoming a celebrity came too soon for the nun. It was something she never asked to be, but she carried the burdens of stardom with grace, kindness, and loving warmth. She never was arrogant, and accepted the status because she believed it would help the College of the Immaculate Heart where she was teaching, and she thought it would be good for her community of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
During the late Sixties the Church, like the rest of the country, was going through changes which angered, threatened, and tormented many of the faithful. The art of Sister Mary Corita began to infuriate certain conservative church leaders. She was considered dangerous. Once she was accused of being a "guerilla with a paint brush"; guerilla meaning an enemy who used familiar images to make blatant statements. It is doubtful if this attack offended the artist. She was a resister, a quiet activist who knew her soul, and did what she could to make the world a better place in which to live.
The shameful disrespect and insecurities of James Francis Cardinal McIntyre were demonstrated through actions taken against the IHMs. All of this took a toll on Corita and the entire community, who had chosen to experiment and make what was considered "drastic" changes in those days gone by.
Even before the cardinal's wrath was fired, Corita was plagued with an acute case of insomnia. Witnesses who knew her well testified that she would not sleep for three or four nights on end, and that it was evident with every step she took. She was exhausted by all she'd agreed to take upon herself, and was unable to "let go" of her duties "after hours". Fr. Daniel Berrigan said of her: "Corita was the guardian angel of the world. Therefore she was called to be sleepless."
After 32 years as an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister, she began to ponder a leave of absence, perhaps hoping to resurrect her drooping spirit. After her sabbatical she informed the community that she would not return, and this literally broke the hearts of her Sisters, who loved her dearly. More than that, they needed her vitality. But Corita felt that she was unable to radiate, give, share - and needed time for healing.
Collectors and fans of Corita's works - those eye-pleasing, colorful, impressive, inspirationally blatant messages - would certainly think that the artist was a very happy person. This simply was never true. She, herself, often admitted that she was down more than up.
Around 1977, the artist developed cancer, and though her doctor gave her only six months to live, she knew that she had major art pieces to accomplish before she died --- nine years later.
Personally, I had the great privilege of knowing Corita through the marvel of our postal and phone systems. Though my art was totally different than hers, she encouraged me, and always had amicable words to gift. In 1982, I phoned her for the first time. We'd been communicating through letters for years. But I decided to ask her person to person if she'd participate in my 1983 art exhibition, Expressions of Faith. I had already invited Sister Mary Jean Dorcy and Brother Placid Stuckenschneider. I felt that Corita's work would add a very unique flavor to this spiritual presentation.
Corita was living in Boston, and when she picked-up the phone she was very warm and charming. She reassured me how much she liked and respected my art, but because Sister Jean and Brother Placid were participating, she simply felt uncomfortable. I did not question or push her. I understood immediately what she was saying .. since she was no longer in religious life she worried that Sister Jean would have felt awkward. (She wouldn't have!) But so much respect did I hold for this artist-rare, that I accepted her verdict, and asked her to be with us in spirit. She was such an inspiration to me - to the world. Just before she parted this weary life, she wrote, in her calligraphic long-hand, a farewell and sent it to her many friends. It is an honor for me to share it, here, with you:
"I wish to thank my family and friends, known and unknown, who have had a part in forming my life up to this point, and to ask that by your prayers and thoughts, you continue to help me in the new life I begin now. I feel this new life is just a next step and that I will still be knowing and caring for all of you forever.
"With love and hopes for your futures, Corita."
Go up one level