10-001.
Found on January 09, 2010 in Springfield, IL.
Corita Kent
Book illustrations
Concordia Publishing House
USA, 1973-79
5.5 x 8.25 x 0.25"
Bound paper
Facsimile signature
A few months ago I started noticing these books illustrated by Sister Corita Kent. First I saw two in a thrift shop in Peoria, IL, and then several weeks later another pair in Springfield. At the time, I passed them up, but always regretted that decision. I've found myself becoming fairly obsessed with Sister Corita's work, and felt that the books really stood on their on as examples of illustration. So today when I headed back to Springfield, in the back of my head I was hoping that these two would still be in the same thrift I left them in so long ago. Fortunately they were.
Besides their splashy cover Pop Art designs, Corita has included several full-spread illustrations in each edition. Short of owning an original piece of her artwork, this book series provides an inexpensive yet full-impact way to own her very powerful work.
Scott commented: Which titles do you have, Dawn? I have Psalms/Now and Prophets/Now so far. Time to hunt down the rest of them!
- 1.11.10
- Website
Dawn commented: You mean there's a series? I didn't know. Now I have to keep my eyes open for the rest of them.
I have _Psalms/Now_. The publishing date is 1973, Concordia Publishing House. This copy has a DJ. I thrifted it around eight years ago.
I saved an article from the March 2007 edition of _Vanity Fair_ on Sister Corita which states, amongst other things: "Sister Corita was on the cover of Newsweek in the 1960s...(H)er champions included Henry Miller, Buckminister Fuller, Charles and Ray Eames and John Cage." The article is entitled "Holy Pop Art" with the tag line, "Sister Corita's Vivid Renaissance" and quotes TNYT as once writing that Sister Corita "did for bread and wine what Andy Warhol did for soup."
I would LOVE to thrift a piece of her artwork (I know you have, lol) Maybe 2010 will be the year! Her "Jesus Never Fails" work is iconoclastic and timeless, but I'd be happy with anything.
- 1.12.10
Dawn commented: Scott, this is the only piece of Sister Corita's work I have ever found "in the wild". Isn't it glorious? Good find!