Corita Kent, born Frances Elizabeth Kent in 1918, was an influential American artist, designer, and educator. She joined the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 18 and began her teaching career at Immaculate Heart College, eventually becoming the chair of the art department in 1964.

During the late 1950s and 1960s, Kent’s artistic style evolved significantly. Initially, her works featured dense, figurative compositions with religious themes. By the early 1960s, she had embraced a Pop Art aesthetic, integrating advertising images, slogans, popular song lyrics, biblical verses, and literature into her art. This blend of spirituality and contemporary culture became a hallmark of her work.

Kent primarily used screen printing, a technique she largely taught herself. Her innovative methods expanded the possibilities of two-dimensional media, making her art more accessible and affordable. As the 1960s progressed, her work increasingly addressed social and political issues like poverty, racism, and social injustice. Kent’s activism also extended to the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War, with her prints featuring peace symbols and anti-war slogans.

Despite her growing influence, Kent faced opposition from conservative elements within the Catholic Church. This tension, combined with the demands of her public profile, led her to leave the religious order in 1968.

By the end of the 1960s, Corita Kent had established herself as a significant figure in the Pop Art movement and a passionate advocate for social justice. Her work from this period remains influential, celebrated for its bold use of color, innovative techniques, and powerful messages. Kent continued to create art and engage in social causes until she died in 1986, leaving a legacy in both the art world and social activism.