The Beginning of Miracles: VIII 1953

Corita Kent created "The Beginning of Miracles: VIII" as a serigraph, a printmaking technique also known as screen-printing. This process involves forcing ink through a stencil onto paper. Serigraphy is often associated with commercial printing, but Kent elevates it here. Notice how the texture of the print is not perfectly smooth; this hints at the hands-on nature of the process. The blocks of color are flat, yet the composition is dynamic, filled with found imagery and text fragments. Kent’s choice of serigraphy is significant. It reflects a desire to democratize art, making it accessible to a broader audience. Screen printing has a long history, and is deeply embedded in the culture of reproduction and distribution. The medium’s association with graphic design and advertising collapses distinctions between fine art and popular culture. Ultimately, this piece invites us to consider how art can be both visually engaging and socially relevant, challenging the boundaries between high and low, art and craft.