Bruce Herman (currently Lothlorien Distinguished Chair in Fine Arts at Gordon College) is an American painter who lectures widely and has had his work published in many books and journals. His artwork has been exhibited in several exhibitions in major cities and all over the world (including the Vatican Museum of Modern Religious Art in Rome). For the First Friday art walk, New City Church brought in Bruce and his amazing paintings Magnificat. I love how New City is bridging the world of faith and art. Last year they brought in Makoto Fujimura for Good Friday (how ironic that both Bruce and Makoto have collaborated on projects). In fact I was just in the IAM studios last month in New York chatting with the staff about Bruce coming to Phoenix. Magnificat (Anima Mea Dominum) offers a glimpse into not only the story of Mary and Everywoman, but humanity and the beauty that can sometimes be found in imperfection. The Magnificat paintings are enormous. They are in the traditional form of two large altarpieces and constitute a sustained reflection on the life of the Virgin Mary from the time of her “Yes” to God at the Annunciation to the fulfillment of this “sword that will pierce your soul” at her Son’s Crucifixion. A group of us headed down to New City to be a part of the exhibition. I loved the paintings and enjoyed meeting Bruce Herman.

Miriam, Virgin Mother: Via Activa
oil and alkyd resin with 23kt gold leaf on three wood panels
dimensions: 102″ h x 160″ w