The Face of Faith
St. Kate's as a Catholic institution pledges itself and its education to an impact of social engagement, "we value and reach out to those marginalized by our society and churches." Faith is central to the experiences of students because it provides a driving for force for how we see and interact with other people. This exhibit introduces women who draw inspiration from Scripture considers the role of Christ and faith in our relationships and interactions.
In each of these images, humans encounter the mysterious and the divine. They are dwarfed by the divine impact of superimposed prophets. They are overshadowed by divine light and frequently raise their impotent hands to the sky as miracles and wonders happen to them.
These details firmly place human observers and experiencers in the background. How would you feel in these encounters with the power and majesty of God?
In the New Testament, God in the human form of Jesus brings a new promise of unequivocal love and salvation to a human audience. No longer an impersonal fire or cloud, Jesus the human felt and lived as we do; these depictions of Jesus in art draw out those sympathetic human elements and experiences. Because He lived like us, we humans can hope to live like Him. His ministry of compassion and justice provides a model for us to live as members of the kingdom of heaven today.
In this, the central scene of the Gospels, Jesus suffers crucifixion and agonizes in His death. Jesus stands out as a significant figure dominating the scene and the center of attention for everyone else depicted. He is also the only clear figure, while the other people are obscured, confused, and more difficult to relate to.
These pieces do not tell the full story. The faces and reactions of background characters are obscured. We could see distinct figures reacting to the events of the Old Testament, but the artists make it difficult to see how people reacted to Christ's New Testament ministry. What matters here is your reaction and the reactions of people with you, alive today like the Risen Lord.
Instead of showing you how people did react to Christ, they are inviting you to discover for yourself how real people today respond to Christian acts of compassion and justice. These works of art are not complete without their audience staying involved. These artists ask, how you will shape this ongoing story?