Kelly Kruse / Contemporary Illumination / Artist & Musician
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      • O MIRABILE MYSTERIUM
      • ICF Commission >
        • Nous
        • Psuche
        • Kardia
        • Pneuma
        • Soma
        • Sarx
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      • BROKEN BONES REJOICE
      • MAGNIFICAT
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        • FEELINGS: DEEPER QUESTIONS
      • All flesh is grass >
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      • And He Shall Reign
      • The Beauty of Weakness
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      • O Mirabile Book
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CURRENT EXHIBIT

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mortality, mystery, and glory


​Art-making, by its nature, presses into the bittersweet sensation of having one foot in a tangible world that will pass away while having the other foot in the world of unseen, everlasting joy.  In early 2018, as I finished work on an exhibition dealing with human suffering and the passion of Jesus Christ, it became clear to me that I wanted to do an extended meditation on mortality and transience through the book of Ecclesiastes.

I could never have imagined then that I would open an exhibit of this work on March 8, 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic would dramatically alter daily life in the United States. In the midst of this crisis, there has been a collective wail of loss and grief rising up around the world. We are not living in a time of conceptual instability and loss. No matter what our worldview, we do not need to be convinced that we stand on shaking ground, or that what we thought was secure was in fact just passing. 

The voice of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes echoes our fears. We will not find hope by burying our heads in the sand,  or by clinging to the things that pass away.  If the earth is shaking, we need to find something steady to cling to for stability. Through this work, I offer an extended meditation on these ideas, which have resonated in all seasons of history and in any kind of grief or loss.  

My prayer is that this work will be encouraging to you as you navigate life's uncertain waters. The world may be passing away, but the hope that God offers is an unshakeable one. And while the world passes, there is a God who promises us an eternal dwelling place in himself, who is from everlasting to everlasting.

This work is a traveling exhibit. 
Find out more

Geheimnis Book

The Geheimnis soft-cover book contains all of the artwork, essays, and behind-the-scenes photos from this body of work. They are 6"x9" and 97 pages. Each book is signed by the artist. 
Get a book

THE IVERSEN CENTER FOR FAITH COMMISSION
The University of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul Minnesota

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Mikros Kosmos: the celestial, immortal soul 
Acrylic ink, marble dust, acrylic, and gold leaf on Belgian linen
From left to right
  1. Nous: The heights of humanity
  2. Psuche: The core of humanity
  3. Kardia: The depths of humanity
In 2019, I applied for an open call for a permanent public art installation at the new Iversen Center for Faith at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas. I was honored to be chosen after a four-month process of submitting proposals and bringing a vision to life for a meaningful art installation for a spiritual community at the heart of their campus. I created the body of six 60"x60" paintings over a period of seven months of 2020. 

Find out more about the project here

RECENT PROJECTS

Redeemer Fellowship Midtown KC // Vision Painting

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We stand in the Kingdom that cannot be shaken,
in the opened door of imperishable hope
Acrylic ink, texture medium, and gold on canvas
27”x54”
 
Read more about this painting

True & Better Art book

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I'm proud to announce a printed book from my 2018 exhibition: True & Better.

The 59-page book contains essays on Biblical Typology, quotes, and scripture. It contains full-color photographs, details, behind the scenes studio photographs.  
PURCHASE

EXHIBITION highlights

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LET THE BONES THAT YOU
​HAVE BROKEN REJOICE

​A visual exploration of the problem of pain through the lens of the passion.
LEARN MORE

MAGNIFICAT

JOHN XXIII GALLERY, THE BASILICA OF ST. MARY
​Illuminations of Mary's Song of Praise, a collaboration with theologian Kathryn Heidelberger.
LEARN MORE
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LET ME introduce MYSELF

I'm Kelly. I'm a multidisciplinary artist living & working in Kansas City, MO. Along with my visual arts practice, I am also a music educator. 

I am passionate about research and processing complex ideas visually. Most of my work includes theological reflection, study of music or poetry, and a deep interest in suffering, joy, transience, and the tension of the human life. I am interested in culture-shaping and how art can speak into dark places. I believe images and ideas hold incredible sway over the shape of a human life. For more about my motivations, go here.

Are you a church or institution and would like to exhibit or license my work? Check out this FAQ. 


I accept commissions. Contact me for more info. For some of my available sketch and smaller works, check my shop. For more information on my larger projects, see my exhibitions page. There are available works remaining from most of my solo exhibitions, and many are listed in my shop!
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FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM

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I share a lot of behind the scenes shots, stories, and insights on my Instagram account. If you are interested in hearing announcements on new projects, being the first to see available work, and getting regular glimpses into my studio, this is the best place to follow me! 
All artwork, photographs, and text on this site are copyright © Kelly Kruse, 2014-2022. No content may be used without express permission from the artist. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
    • ARTIST STATEMENT
    • BIO
    • CV
    • ILLUMINATION
    • FAQ
  • WORK
    • BODIES OF WORK >
      • O MIRABILE MYSTERIUM
      • ICF Commission >
        • Nous
        • Psuche
        • Kardia
        • Pneuma
        • Soma
        • Sarx
      • GEHEIMNIS
      • TRUE AND BETTER
      • BROKEN BONES REJOICE
      • MAGNIFICAT
      • My Iron Heart
      • To Stand in Tension >
        • FEELINGS: DEEPER QUESTIONS
      • All flesh is grass >
        • THE PROCESS
    • OTHER PROJECTS >
      • THE SHEMA
      • REDEEMER KINGDOM PAINTING
      • Psalms of Light
      • The Prayer Card Project
      • WHY WE CREATE
    • PARTNERSHIPS >
      • words of life
    • LICENSING/PRINT & COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS >
      • And He Shall Reign
      • The Beauty of Weakness
      • True & Better
    • Commissions
  • Contact
  • News
  • Shop
    • Books >
      • O Mirabile Book
    • Spring 2022 Collection
    • Ornaments 2022
    • My Etsy Shop
  • PATREON