Janet McKenzie

McKenzie’s distinctive palette unites the lives of images across the centuries – from the Holy Family to those of modern-day saints. For decades, she has disrupted Western artistic norms by painting biblical characters in a variety of ethnic representations: African American, Asian, Native American, Caucasian, and Hispanic. Her muted tones of blue, purple, and red ground the paintings in the heaviness of what each saint faced to share their truth. Several of McKenzie’s commissioned works celebrate Mary Magdalene’s role as Jesus’s closest companion and most faithful disciple.

All the featured images are copyrighted by the artist.

The Succession of Mary Magdalene, triptych

Commissioned by the late Barbara Marian, a Catholic laywoman.
Collection of Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL

Collection of the North Congregation United Church of Christ, Columbus, OH

For more information about the artist and her prints, please visit her website at JanetMcKenzie.com.