acrylic, sheet music, fossil, pods, feather, acorn, grasses, leaves, and maps on wooden panel
The Sisters of St. Francis commissioned these pieces for their residential community in Dubuque Iowa. I interpreted different aspects of St. Francis‚'s "Canticle of the Creatures‚" prayer. The Sisters were ideal patrons, giving me the freedom to explore once we had established some basic requirements. The full "Canticle of the Creatures‚" hangs in the multipurpose room and is spread out over four panels that feature:
- an aerial view of the Mississippi river as it runs through Dubuque
- letters from St. Clare of Assisi
- specimens of indigenous flora and fauna, some collected by sisters on site
- a bald eagle (abundant in that area) soars into the panel
- a cricket, mentioned in St. Francis‚'s writings, perches on a leaf
- a quote from St. Francis in Sister Nancy‚'s handwriting
- sheet music of celebrated hymns
- constellations
- maps of China and Honduras, locations the sisters were vested in
- Collections: Commissions and Public Art