Corita Kent was known for many years as Sister Corita -- the “rebel” nun and teacher at the Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood who shook up religious art with colorful Pop-art screenprints. Now a full-scale survey of her three decade career is about to open at the Pasadena Museum of California Art -- called Someday is Now: The Art of Corita Kent.
Even though there has long been a cult following for Corita, her work is seeing a revival. Why? What role does she play in LA’s art -- and spiritual -- history? Could she be a better artist than the man who inspired her Pop Art: Andy Warhol?
DnA talks to the exhibition’s curator Michael Duncan; Ray Smith, director of the Corita Art Center; Lenore Navarro Dowling, a former sister at Immaculate Heart; graphic designer Lorraine Wild and artist Pae White.