Kelly Kruse / Contemporary Illumination / Artist & Musician
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MAGNIFICAT
illuminating each line of Mary's Song from Luke 1

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Magnificat was originally painted for exhibition at The Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery in St. Paul, MN. After talking with them about what scriptures they might enjoy having illuminated for the space, we landed on the Magnificat as one of the texts they wanted me to explore. Instead of making this eighteen-line song one of several texts illuminated for the exhibition, I chose to dig into the work and illuminate each line to create a visual experience that draws us more deeply into Mary's reality, Jesus' Kingdom, and the kinds of people that God came to redeem. 

Theologian Kathryn Heidelberger collaborated with me on the project and responded to each line in much the same way as me, except through the medium of prayer. Through the processes of visio and lectio divina and in a process marked by prayer, contemplation, and conversation, Kathryn and I created a prayerful visual experience that can more deeply reveal aspects of the character of God through Mary's beautiful song.


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EXHIBITION INFO

JOHN XXIII GALLERY, THE BASILICA OF ST. MARY
March 17, 2018 - May 20, 2018


Sundays: 7:30am–8:00pm

Saturdays: 10:00am–6:30pm

Other times by appointment.
1600 Hennepin Ave 
Minneapolis, MN 55403

More information


​

ORIGINAL EXHIBITION
September 6 - November 1, 2017

9am-6pm

THE BENEDICTINE CENTER
2675 Benet Rd
St. Paul, MN 55109

651.777.7251
info@stpaulsmonastery.org


THIS EXHIBITION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO SHOW. 


SNEAK PEEKS

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Luke 1: 46, a prayer by Kathryn Heidelberger

“My soul magnifies the Lord”

(Visio Divina)

Mary magnified!
God-revealing to
the small, slight
God-bearer,
is no small thing.

Mary magnified!
The presence of God comes with
Given grace, glistening,
in splendor, hope,
heaviness, sadness.

Mary magnified!
How did Mary magnify?
My soul cannot contain like hers--
The inexplicable joy
The uncontainable
contained, housed, welcomed
by her resolute “yes!”

Mary magnified!
How did she bear up
under the weight of it all?

Mary magnified!
All the while
the threat of death
the coming pain of birthing a child into
the world only to lose him,
bleeding for him so that he might
bleed for her.
Mary magnified.

I am bewildered.
Praise be to God!
Amen.

“Bewilderment is the true comprehension. Not to know where you are going is the true knowledge.” -Martin Luther

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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