Works set in dialogue
The second exhibition, Good Friday, presents works by over 30 artists of diverse backgrounds who have used the events of the day of Jesus’ death as inspiration for their own reflections on such themes as faith, suffering, loss, compassion, and unconditional love. The selected works are drawn primarily from the MOCRA collection, and employ a wide range of media from painting and sculpture to fiber arts. Some works employ familiar images (such as Hans Holbein’s 1521 painting The Dead Christ in the Tomb) while others make use of traditional devotions such as the Stations of the Cross. Many of the artists translate the events of Good Friday to contemporary situations and draw forth a variety of insights, from the personal to the political. Artists in the exhibition include:

MOCRA presents the second of two exhibitions celebrating the museum's first fifteen years.
Drawing primarily on the MOCRA collection, Good Friday considers the ways in which artists have explored the events of the day of Jesus' death in their work.

exhibition extended through May 17, 2009  

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GENERAL EXHIBITION INFORMATION
Hours: Tues - Sun, 11 am - 4 pm 
Admission: free, with suggested donation of $5/adults, $1/students and children
Group visits (school, religious, community, seniors, etc.) please call in advance
Directions to MOCRA



Join us for a free public conference:

Art and the Religious Imagination
     Sunday, March 29, 2009   1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
     click here for more information  

In a time when religion is a predominant topic in societies throughout the world—often generating more heat than light—MOCRA continues to foster dialogue that seeks deeper understanding of others’ traditions and greater appreciation of one’s own.

For over 35 years, the Fusz Memorial Chapel was used by Jesuits studying philosophy at Saint Louis University, but in 1990 the Jesuits relocated to smaller residences near the campus. In Spring 1991 Saint Louis University President Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., gave permission to Rev. Terrence Dempsey, S.J., to adapt the chapel for use as a museum devoted to the presentation of contemporary religious Art. A thoughtful renovation made the chapel a suitable and noteworthy space for displaying art while honoring the original purpose and architecture of the building.

Since then, the museum has mounted 35 exhibitions involving more than 160 artists. MOCRA’s exhibitions have demonstrated the range of contemporary religious and spiritual artistic expression, presenting the work of artists who have attained recognition regionally, nationally, and internationally. Some work overtly pays homage to particular faith traditions while other works are more oblique but nonetheless spiritual. The media employed have varied from traditional painting, drawing, and prints to unusual materials such as blood, earth, mylar, and helium. Exhibitions at MOCRA have been enhanced by numerous conferences, lectures, and performances involving major theologians, visual artists, art historians, museum directors and curators, doctors, lawyers, philosophers, psychologists, choreographers, and musicians.

Please join us as we celebrate the first fifteen years of MOCRA, a foundational legacy
upon which we will build ever more expansive exhibitions and programming.