My Experience:Mary McCleary's Work

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?