Prayers for Eden, an exhibit by Grand Marais artist Marce Wood includes these beautiful Prismacolor pencil works. Above: In the Gifts of the Magi, three wise women share their gifts. Left: Baptism of Christ is a poignant scene with a touch of whimsy—North Shore fish are in the peaceful water.
Twenty-five Prismacolor pencil drawings are on display at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis in an exhibit named Prayers for Eden. Each piece tells a story—from scripture, of the saints of the Catholic Church, of vivid dreamscapes. And each piece comes from the heart of artist Marce Wood of Grand Marais.
Wood visited with the Cook County News-Herald this week and explained that the showing is a reflection of how God speaks to each of us. Wood used Prismacolor pencils on black rag paper to create her mystical looking drawings, intertwining Christian teachings and her environmental beliefs. Each drawing in the exhibit is accompanied by a poem written by Wood to help with interpretation of the piece.
Most need little interpretation, as they are familiar themes, presented in a new and inspiring manner. Some share the humanity of Christ, such as Jesus Speaks His Perfect Words, which depicts Jesus after his difficult encounter with the Pharisees, regaining his composure by retreating to a quiet place and touching the earth, the heart of creation.
Another, Baptism of Christ, is a poignant portrait of Jesus and his beloved cousin, John the Baptist.
In The Ascension, which could be named Christ Lingered, Wood depicts Jesus’s ascension in an entirely new way. Jesus hovers over the colorful tapestry of earth, saying goodbye to the people, the animals, the birds, the flowers and the flowing waters.
Wood explains, “As much as Jesus longed to get to heaven and his father, he lingered. Everyone wanted to say goodbye.”
Wood imagines the playful side of biblical characters as in Mary Plays the Concertina. “I thought Mary probably sang to baby Jesus or played something. I wanted something that would show the joy they felt together and the concertina reflects that. And what would Jesus play? The triangle! The Trinity, of course,” said Wood with a bright smile.
The whimsy is seen again in Gifts of the Magi. Wood’s Magi are three women, based on friends—a poet, a musician and a child therapist— who are pictured celebrating Christ’s arrival each in her own unique way.
Other pieces are very personal dream stories and one very special drawing, Granddaughter Mary, depicts her granddaughter, a beautiful child with special needs who has brought a special light to Woods’ life.
A few are more traditional, such as Madonna and Child and The Transfiguration, but even the more time-honored of Wood’s works include layers of meaning and exquisite touches—splashes of color in butterflies and bunnies, fruits and flowers. All the pieces subtly reflect Wood’s concern about the environment, about the world God has entrusted to humankind.
In her artist statement, Wood writes, “…I hope you too will walk fearlessly and freely in these images and find your own stories. I believe with the unceasing balm of love that so freely flows from the sacred hearts of Mary and her Beloved Son, Jesus, that we can heal and delight in all relationships and grow toward the promise of Eden, here again on Earth.”
Prayers of Eden will be on display through August 25.
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