50by70 II: American Sampler – The Art of Corita Kent

We had a lovely surprise last week when our printers PUSH brought by a volume of American Sampler – The Art of Corita Kent a collection of six large-format serigraphs in one beautiful box. This edition is the second collaboration between designer Tim Fishlock with his 50by70 showcase and PUSH and it’s a truly wonderful progression with the iconic 1960s peace graphics of Sister Mary Corita – the screen-printing nun.

A corresponding essay by Michael Sims was commissioned by Fishlock and adds a perfectly-gauged insight into the unique and fascinating lady who ran the art department at Immaculate Heart College until 1968 when she left the Order. Her art was passionately colourful and typographically vocal and earned her as many admirers as caustic looks from within both the art and religious communities. The graphics endure, Kent’s archetypal message of love, peace and social justice still as relevant today as ever before.