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Corita Kent. Art and Soul. The Biography
CORITA KENT. ART AND SOUL. THE BIOGRAPHY. is the painstakingly researched account of the nun who made a world of difference and, to her surprise, simultaneously made a name for herself. On the cover of Newsweek in 1967, Sister Mary Corita became known as the Rebel Nun. The prototype for every outspoken nun since. Yet Corita was never outspoken. It was her artwork that spoke volumes. Her message was clear. Love. Peace. Joy. Godliness. What would Jesus do, she asked, long before the words became a politicized cliche. Would He go to war? Would He let people starve? Would He judge? Would He not forgive? She knew the answers before she asked the questions. CORITA KENT. ART AND SOUL. THE BIOGRAPHY. is independently authored and published, and is not sponsored or endorsed by, or affiliated with, the heirs of Corita Kent, the Immaculate Heart Community, or any other person or organization.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2015
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
April Dammann
6 books5 followersApril Dammann M.A., is an author of art history biographies. She has degrees from UCLA, the U. of Rochester and La Sorbonne, Paris. She moved from fiction (screen and playwriting) and producing for Los Angeles stages to nonfiction, with the publication of her first book about Earl Stendahl, a visionary Los Angeles art dealer who influenced generations of collectors of modern and ancient art.
April is writing a memoir about her upbringing in an eccentric showbiz family, surrounded by ex-vaudevillians striving to hang on to past glory: "Circus People - the Sideshow that was My Hollywood Home." She is married to her Hollywood High beau and living on the Mendocino coast of Northern California.
April is writing a memoir about her upbringing in an eccentric showbiz family, surrounded by ex-vaudevillians striving to hang on to past glory: "Circus People - the Sideshow that was My Hollywood Home." She is married to her Hollywood High beau and living on the Mendocino coast of Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 20, 2025
Dammann presents Corita Kent mostly in her role as an art teacher and her production of prints which arise from her religious convictions as a Catholic nun of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The book spans 1918 - 1986 with most of Corita's activity from 1950 - 1980s.
Corita is an inspiration in both her roles in which she inspires students, friends and colleagues. She is also dedicated to her vows and stands for them against the Cardinal and bishops who have a different understanding of the role of nuns. Interestingly, Corita's art focuses on how words are used deceptively in advertisement -- a kind of anti-Warhol who was a contemporary artist, also a Catholic.
The book contains a Publisher's note, a Foreword, an Introduction, three parts each divided into four chapters, an Acknowledgements section, a Bibliography, an Index, and a section of Image Credits. Many examples of Kent's work grace the pages, along with photos, some examples of student work, and quotes. Each chapter begins with a sentence or two introduction to its focus with Corita followed by a short paragraph a summary of the times and Corita's biography pertinent to the chapter. The book is very nicely put together.
I highly recommend the book for those interested in Kent and her art, the times, especially the 1960s and 70s, art and the relationship of art to the spiritual, in women religious and their interactions with male hierarchy.
Corita is an inspiration in both her roles in which she inspires students, friends and colleagues. She is also dedicated to her vows and stands for them against the Cardinal and bishops who have a different understanding of the role of nuns. Interestingly, Corita's art focuses on how words are used deceptively in advertisement -- a kind of anti-Warhol who was a contemporary artist, also a Catholic.
The book contains a Publisher's note, a Foreword, an Introduction, three parts each divided into four chapters, an Acknowledgements section, a Bibliography, an Index, and a section of Image Credits. Many examples of Kent's work grace the pages, along with photos, some examples of student work, and quotes. Each chapter begins with a sentence or two introduction to its focus with Corita followed by a short paragraph a summary of the times and Corita's biography pertinent to the chapter. The book is very nicely put together.
I highly recommend the book for those interested in Kent and her art, the times, especially the 1960s and 70s, art and the relationship of art to the spiritual, in women religious and their interactions with male hierarchy.
August 8, 2024
I greatly appreciated this book and I want my own copy to add to my personal library. The images are crisp and clear, and I have more knowledge of & respect for Corita Kent now.
Dammann's writing is disjointed though. I don't think she used one explanation point throughout the entire book, and I wonder if there was a ban on the punctuation as she seemed to overcompensate its absence with odd phrasing at certain points.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(There, I feel better now)
Dammann's writing is disjointed though. I don't think she used one explanation point throughout the entire book, and I wonder if there was a ban on the punctuation as she seemed to overcompensate its absence with odd phrasing at certain points.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(There, I feel better now)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews