Mary McCleary’s Biblical Collection
Before I visited the UT Arlington art gallery last week I wasn’t
familiar with the works of Mary McCleary. I wasn’t really sure what to expect
when I went to the gallery but I went in with an open mind. I remember walking in looking
at the white walls filled with colorful paintings. I didn’t really stop and
take the time to look at the details because I had to go to class but I
remember thinking “this stuff looks cool.” It wasn’t until I went back later
that week that I saw something so different. Granted the same paintings were there
both times but my perception changed. I went in with the mindset that I wanted
to learn all that I could about this particular artist. I found out that she had
to read and study the Holy Bible so that she would be able to deliver a message
to her audience. She then had to take
her time to modernize what she read and capture those moments. She started
working on this collection in 1986 with various works like The Martyrdom of
Stephen and Lazarus the Beggar, to name a few. The process was delayed because in
addition to her studying the bible she was also a professor at Stephen F.
Austin State University from 1975 to 2005.
Another artist that was being featured was an abstract
artist named Andrea Rosenberg. Although I enjoyed her work as well I couldn’t
steer away from Mary McCleary’s work. I grew up in church so the fact that I could
relate to her works on a personal level was amazing. She took biblical
historical stories and turned them into visual remarkable art. Even if you aren’t
knowledge in the stories in the Bible she gives you visual aids to help you
understand. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
Are you familiar with Mary McCleary and her work?
