Sister Corita

Corita Kent (1918–1986) born Frances Elizabeth Kent and also known as Sister Mary Corita, was as an American Roman Catholic religious sister, artist, designer and educator.  Her work centered on themes about Christianity  and social justice. Corita entered the religious order Immaculate Heart of Mary when she was 18. While there, she taught herself to silk screen through a DIY kit and developed innovative techniques that pushed the limitations on two-dimensional mediums at the time. She chose printing because of its strong democratic outreach and because it allowed her to make affordable art for all. Corita’s work evolved from the religious and figurative to a uniquely recognizable style that incorporated advertising images and slogans, popular song lyrics, biblical verses, and literature. Throughout the ‘60s, her work was increasingly political and centered on themes of poverty, racism, and injustice. In 1968 she left the order and from 1970 on, her work evolved into a sparser, introspective style, influenced by living in a new environment, a secular life, and her battles with cancer. She remained an active advocate of social causes until her death in 1986. Throughout her lifetime, Corita created close to 800 screenprint editions, thousands of watercolors, and numerous public and private commissions.

$ 800