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Sacredness and Solidarity: A Conversation with Artist Janet McKenzie
By Jillian Ewalt
Janet McKenzie’s art has been displayed widely in galleries and museums, installed in worship spaces (including here at the University of Dayton) and reproduced on the pages of books.
But McKenzie’s work occupies another important social space. It can be seen, held high above the crowds, carried by demonstrators marching in support of racial and gender equality and women’s rights. Most recently, a reproduction of her painting “Jesus of the People” was displayed prominently among the flowers, notes, candles, and memorabilia at the George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis.
The Vermont-based artist didn’t set out to create activist art or initially intend for her work to be associated with social movements. What she did want to do was to pay homage to groups that have been under-celebrated in sacred art.
‘Inclusion, not exclusion’
“My art,” she says, “presents Jesus and Mary and many others in diverse ways because the essence of Jesus is about inclusion, not exclusion. Every one of us is created beautifully, mysteriously and equally in God’s likeness.”
The University of Dayton houses five of McKenzie’s works. An original commission, “Mary — Mother of Enduring Love” is installed in the northern devotional space in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Four additional prints — “Mary and Jesus with the Papel Picado”; “The Holy Family”; “The Divine Journey: Companions of Love and Hope”; and the award-winning “Jesus of the People” — are housed in the Marian Library’s collection of sacred art. To view and learn more about these works, see the image gallery below.
Celebrating Diversity through Marian Art
McKenzie says she is “called to present Mary in varying and inclusive ways so women worldwide may see themselves in her.” Mary, she says, is “familiar, beloved and a needed source of hope and inspiration in this very wounded world.”
The appearance of her work in recent calls for justice and equality has been rewarding, she says, for the cause of racial equality is not only worthy, but long overdue.
“Racial justice can happen in many ways including sacred art,” the artist shares. “My hope is that the more familiar we become seeing everyone as created in God’s likeness, the less violence, racial prejudice and hate there will be.”
For more information about McKenzie’s work, see her website. For more information about the Marian Library's art collection, contact Jillian Ewalt, librarian for visual resources.
More artist interviews
This is part of a series of conversations with artists. Others include:
- Full of Grace: A Conversation with Artist Elly Tullis
- Miraculous Metal: The Marian Art of Benjamin Wildflower
— Jillian Ewalt is an associate professor and librarian for visual resources in the Marian Library.
“‘Mary — Mother of Enduring Love’ is a maternal figure representing the magnificent feminine spirit, and she stands with closed eyes and open arms, welcoming everyone to her,” says artist Janet McKenzie, who wants the image to serve as a “loving and inclusive source of comfort and solace, especially for young university students who may be away from home for the first time.” The painting is installed in a devotional space on the north side of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on the University of Dayton campus. Image copyright Janet McKenzie.
“‘Mary — Mother of Enduring Love’ is a maternal figure representing the magnificent feminine spirit, and she stands with closed eyes and open arms, welcoming everyone to her,” says artist Janet McKenzie, who wants the image to serve as a “loving and inclusive source of comfort and solace, especially for young university students who may be away from home for the first time.” The painting is installed in a devotional space on the north side of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on the University of Dayton campus. Image copyright Janet McKenzie.
In this image, McKenzie depicts the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph and Jesus — seated almost as one entity. “Their unity, mutual love and sacred bond is visible,” she says, adding, “Jesus is enveloped in his mother’s arms and safely wrapped within her love. It is he who reaches out to the viewer with a gaze ripe with wisdom beyond his years. The Blessed Mother holds her child, able to protect him, for now. The presence of the Holy Spirit is revealed through Mary’s quiet state of prayer and reflection. She is mother, nurturer and the bearer of life.” McKenzie notes, “Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is often depicted in art as removed and separate from the Holy Mother and her child. Here, he is presented as a foundational and integral figure, his gentle touch a reminder of his paternal presence.” The original work was commissioned for the chapel of the Loyola School in New York City. A print of this image is housed in the collection of the Marian Library. Image copyright Janet McKenzie.
In this image, McKenzie depicts the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph and Jesus — seated almost as one entity. “Their unity, mutual love and sacred bond is visible,” she says, adding, “Jesus is enveloped in his mother’s arms and safely wrapped within her love. It is he who reaches out to the viewer with a gaze ripe with wisdom beyond his years. The Blessed Mother holds her child, able to protect him, for now. The presence of the Holy Spirit is revealed through Mary’s quiet state of prayer and reflection. She is mother, nurturer and the bearer of life.” McKenzie notes, “Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is often depicted in art as removed and separate from the Holy Mother and her child. Here, he is presented as a foundational and integral figure, his gentle touch a reminder of his paternal presence.” The original work was commissioned for the chapel of the Loyola School in New York City. A print of this image is housed in the collection of the Marian Library. Image copyright Janet McKenzie.
An image of McKenzie’s “Jesus of the People” was recently placed at the George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis by the Rev. Mae Gibson Wall. The image, at the lower right of this photograph, has been used widely at demonstrations for racial and gender equality. Image courtesy of Mae Gibson Wall.
An image of McKenzie’s “Jesus of the People” was recently placed at the George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis by the Rev. Mae Gibson Wall. The image, at the lower right of this photograph, has been used widely at demonstrations for racial and gender equality. Image courtesy of Mae Gibson Wall.
This image depicts a demonstrator holding a reproduction of McKenzie’s painting “Mary and Jesus with the Papel Picado” with the Black Lives Matter slogan. This image, taken at a protest several years ago, is an example of how demonstrators have adopted McKenzie’s images for use in social movements. A print of “Mary and Jesus with the Papel Picado” is housed in the Marian Library’s art collection. Image courtesy of Thaiphy Phan-Quang.