Summer 2009: Of Note

“The Great Catch”, ©1993 by John August Swanson. Serigraph, 22 1/8 x 31 3/4 inches.

Journeys of the Spirit

By Mary J. Loftus

John August Swanson’s art, featured on the cover of this issue, speaks of celebration and transformation, religious parables and spiritual self-discovery.

Swanson, who lives in Los Angeles, spoke at Emory in March about the myriad inspirations for the brilliant paintings and original prints that grace the walls of Emory’s Candler School of Theology, the Center for Ethics, and Cannon Chapel. Candler holds the largest collection of Swanson’s works—some thirty-eight pieces in all. Swanson’s art also is found in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Religious Art, the Tate Gallery, and the Bibliothèque Nationale, among others.

“The rich colors, glorious skies, lively landscapes, and fascinating people depicted in Swanson’s art reflect both the beautifully divine yet often quite mundane character of everyday life—for us as well as for those in Bible stories we have heard so often,” says Candler Dean Jan Love. “We experience them anew when we encounter these vibrant, gripping pieces of art.”