I’ve long adored the vibrant serigraphs of artist Corita Kent. Many women in my family attended Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles and my Grandmother Rita’s home in California has Corita prints scattered throughout. Rita had the opportunity to meet Corita when she was young and her sister, my great-aunt Joan, knew Corita well. For those of you that aren’t familiar with her work, Kent was a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and a widely successful artist in the 1960’s and 70’s. Kent’s work is not only beautiful to look at (her bold colors make me swoon), but is also charged with themes of social justice, spirituality and her never-faltering prayer for peace. As chairman of the famous Immaculate Heart College Art Department, Corita and her students printed serigraphs designs by the hundreds, often borrowing from popular culture such as Beatles’ lyrics. In 1968 Corita left the order and moved to Boston where she focused on her art entirely until her death to cancer in 1986. Her work is now part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. I recently purchased several original Corita posters from the 1960’s and am eagerly awaiting their arrival. They remind me of home and I think will be the perfect addition to the blank walls of my new apartment. After all, a message of love and peace is never outdated.
To learn more visit the Corita Art Center >>>
I will definitely check her work out. My friends daughter graduated from Immaculate Heart 2 years ago, and my daughter took some summer classes there a few years ago. Her art looks awesome! thanks for sharing! xxoo
Oh my goodness those are fabulous! I know where to get my next cards at! Thanks! As always Kate you find the most fabulous things!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting today! Your blog is awesome..love today’s post. I am an art lover as well. I think it is wonderful that you treated yourself to the original posters and love your sentiment that they will remind you of home.. Art can stir so many emotions…
I’ll be back! :)
These are great!! The last one is my fave.
I have a nun in my family who was also an art/calligraphy professor until several years ago (because of old age). I’ll have to ask her if she knows about Corita!
Hello NT: I grew up in a house where my Mirimekko-shift-wearing mother hung Corita Kent posters on our kitchen walls, including a version of the “I Love You/balance Uneasy” that you are showing…
I hadn’t thought of Corita Kent in years, so this was a fun walk down memory lane for me.
Thanks for posting — Reggie
That would be Marimekko, not Mirimekko!
I have a framed and signed Sister Mary Corita “I Love You Balance Uneasy……” print measuring 30″H x36″ W. Think I bought it in the late 60s early 70s and was told, at the time, that it was one of eight signed originals. I would appreciate any information you can give me re. this print. Thank you.