Customer Reviews

Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie

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I have always been somewhat moved by, and have carried in my mind the image of Ms. McKenzie's "Jesus of the People" which won the NCR millennium Jesus art contest. I purchased copies of this new book to give as Christmas gifts to friends and am very pleased with it.

This artwork evokes more of an emotional faith reaction that expands or focuses faith in boundaries not usually felt by the viewer. Yes, it is a feminist perspective, but it does not shut out male eyes...and perhaps gives a man a new prism in acknowledging and honoring womanhood.

I was particularly thrilled to read the comments for each picture by women spiritual writers...but I'd argue that McKenzie's works speak more to personal interpretations and emotions that do not easily lend themselves to description. (or a book review!)

Janet McKenzie is to be recognized as an artist with a vision and emotive sense that can say something to the viewer...but expressing the reaction is words may seem inadequate. And I am sure my Christmas gift of this book will truly touch the faith of the recipients.

Beautiful artwork by Janet McKenzie and beautiful prose to accompany each from women who exemplify the feminine spirit.

Artist Janet McKenzie takes wonderful risks by painting Jesus, saints and angels in multiracial, gender-bending new ways.

Now you can see her genius at work in a gorgeous new book, "Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie."

The Vermont artist is committed to creating inclusive art celebrating women. She is best known for painting a controversial black female Christ in "Jesus of the People," which was chosen by PBS art critic Sister Wendy Beckett to represent Jesus in the new millennium.

That painting is in the book, along with 27 more works by McKenzie. Another highlight is "Epiphany," which presents the three "kings" as a multiracial trio of women. McKenzie's daring view of the Magi angered conservatives when the head of the Episcopal Church used it as her Christmas card in 2007.

Even though McKenzie alters race and gender in her work, her art is never contrived. She makes it seem natural to see an Asian Madonna or the Holy Family with African features. The book also includes some historical people of color, such as Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American convert to Christianity.

Each picture is accompanied by an essay that provides historical background and theological reflection. McKenzie's art is so profound that the essays pale in comparison, even though they were written by 28 well known women writers. Contributors include Sister Wendy, bestselling novelist Ann Patchett, womanist theologian Katie Cannon and feminist nun Joan Chittister.

The matching of authors and images is artful, sometimes even inspired. Helen Prejean, a nun who works against the death penalty, writes about "Jesus at Gethsemane." Katharine Jefferts Schiori is paired with "Epiphany," her controversial Christmas card. Barbara Marian reflects on "Mary with the Midwives," which she commissioned.

The book focuses on women's spirituality, but it is not for women only. I recommend it for anyone seeking the Divine Feminine or alternative Christian imagery. The $28 price is extremely low for what you get -- a hardcover book of top-quality color pictures printed in Italy on glossy paper that is luscious to the touch. The book could easily fetch twice the price.

One category of women is noticeably under-represented: lesbians. None of the writers are identified as lesbian, and only two of them make references to LGBT people. Korean theologian (Chung) Hyun Kyung.includes "heterosexism" in her definition of sin and states, "Thanks to the rise of liberation theology, black theology, feminist theology, Asian theology, African theology, Indigenous theology, womanist theology, mujerista theology and queer theology, we can now reimagine Jesus and declare that Jesus is a campesino, black, female, Asian, African, Indigenous, Hispanic or queer."

A more poetic approach to LGBT issues comes from poet Edwina Gateley. She imagines what Mary thought while pregnant with Jesus:

I birth you, my child
and in you is embraced
My divine love for all humanity --
black and white and brown,
male and female,
gay and straight.

McKenzie has demonstrated her own support for LGBT people by generously sharing her art here at the Jesus in Love Blog. She allowed me to use her famous "Jesus of the People" on the cover of my book "Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More." My book also includes McKenzie's "Christ Mother," a majestic nude female Christ bound in a crucifixion pose. That image is so challenging that it has been censored by the gatekeepers who decide what gets shown. Unfortunately it is also missing from "Holiness and the Feminine Spirit."

The Catholic Press Association recently honored McKenzie's new book with two awards. It won first place for Spirituality (hard cover) and third place for Design and Production. In this case, the Catholic authorities are right. This beautiful book goes a long way toward expanding and enhancing the ways we see holiness.

beautiful paintings along with beautiful words!! Janet is both so talented, creative, spiritual, and loving..her traits come through in her works and other people's words about her..Seeing her talent from high school days up until present time has been a treat for me!! It is always so special when an individual can truly follow their dreams!!

This book is beautiful and meaningful... Jan's artwork is exciting. It opens your eyes. The meditations on each painting are well done and invite the reader into a deeper understanding of the feminine spirit.

The Paintings of Janet Mckenzie are wonderful testaments to the quiet power of women everywhere and the essays compliment the paintings in a total affirmation of the feminine experience. I recommend this book for spiritual people of all religious backgrounds not just Christians.

This is a magnificent collection, not only of truly inspirational reproductions of Janet Mckenzie's painting, but also of thoughtful and meaningful essays and other reflections that accompany them. I liked this book so much that I ordered an additional copy to send to one of my granddaughters who is a budding artist herself.

I received a copy of Janet's book on my fortieth birthday. It was the perfect gift. Each chapter brought to the surface my own life's passages as a woman, as an African American woman, as a mother, as a daughter, as a human being with a faith to believe in something beyond myself. Janet's art has the ability to mesmerize you and comfort you at the same time. The words of the contributing writers bring forth an energy of love and strength.

This is a must read! Not only does it remind one that each of us has been given the gift of a "feminine spirit" truly unique to us and our experiences, it also embraces how we share that with those we love and world around us.