Vermont artist Janet McKenzie pays homage
to the feminine figure through sacred and secular imagery. Ms.
McKenzie's paintings depict an inner strength that often challenge
and comfort the viewer. Using a variety of female forms including
African American, Asian, and Caucasian women Ms. McKenzie is able
create empowering images of women that are beautiful, thought
provoking, and often haunting. Through her paintings Ms. McKenzie
strives to convey the heart of the feminine being as a universal
symbol of hope. "Women are for me sacred beings that are the
foundation of life, subjects that have the power to captivate my
imagination and inform my expression."
Ms. McKenzie's work is collected and exhibited
around the world. At the Millennium Ms. McKenzie's image of Jesus, "Jesus of the
People", was selected winner of the National Catholic Reporter's "Jesus 2000"
competition, by judge Sister Wendy Beckett. The painting was revealed for the
first time on the "Today Show" during an interview with Matt Lauer and NCR
editor, Michael Farrell. "Jesus of the People" confronts stereotypical thinking
by celebrating Jesus as African American. The feminine aspect is served by the
fact that the model for this painting was a woman.
Email Ms. McKenzie at
jmckenzie2000@hotmail.com or call
(802) 723-4122
http://www.janetmckenzie.com/
ZHAKANAKA: The Word
