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March 16, 2009
Swanson’s vibrant art graces Candler

By Laurel Hanna

Visitors to the new building housing the Candler School of Theology and the Center for Ethics are noticing the finely detailed, brilliantly colored paintings and original prints gracing the new structure’s walls.

As they slow down for closer inspection, they’ll discover a unique feature of the new structure: it now holds the largest collection of works — some 38 pieces — by internationally renowned artist John August Swanson.
“Candler is quite privileged to have a collection from one of America’s great artists who evokes deeply religious and human themes through his remarkable paintings and prints,” says Candler Dean Jan Love.

Candler will host Swanson for a series of events March 24-26 that will give the Emory community an opportunity to meet the artist, hear about his creative process and tour the collection. Events are sponsored in part by the University’s strategic initiatives on Creativity & Arts and Religions and the Human Spirit.

Swanson’s finely detailed, brilliantly colored paintings and original prints are in the permanent collections of such prestigious venues as the Smithsonian Institution and the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Religious Art.

Though Swanson’s work portrays both religious and secular subjects, there is an overarching theme of embracing life and spiritual transformation. Optimistic but rarely sentimental, his pieces offer new perspectives on familiar scenes and stories.

“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 Love. “We experience them anew when we encounter these vibrant, gripping pieces of art.”