Exibit highlights Jesuit artist

Painting has become much more than a hobby for Dennis McNally, S.J. He first found a passion for it while training as a novice of the Jesuit order. Though he took up painting with no training or background, it has become an integral part of his life as a form of prayer and therapy.

"It's become a passion because, like with swimming, I know that I go nuts when I don't do it," said McNally.

On Feb. 20, McNally displayed a number of paintings from his collection and spoke about the importance of spirituality through art. Scores from composer Philip Glass provided a backdrop to his presentation in the Chapel of Saint Joseph while McNally explained the different paintings. Both before and after the presentation, students, faculty, and alumni were able to walk around and view the paintings.

The art's subject matter ranged from religious figures and symbols to landscapes and interpretative pieces. Among the range of images found in his art, however, the common denominator is spirituality.

"If the artmaker is not spiritually connected and pursuing something spiritual in the aesthetic, he or she is not doing art but only advertising," said McNally. "So, in that vein, I am always doing religious art. Although sometimes the subject matter is landscape, or abstraction, or about war or the aftereffects of tragedy, it's always about God and us."

One painting depicted a slough of dead human bodies in the bottom left corner next to a chair representing capital punishment. Above the scene of death and destruction, a majestic image representing the Holy Spirit is depicted embracing the souls of these people and bringing them up to God, who is waiting to comfort them and bring repose to their souls. Mary is also present in the painting, wearing a red veil and representing the Church.

In this painting, McNally used the canvas to express his feelings on capital punishment, and "the atrocity of human governments killing people," he said.

Another work depicts the naked torso of Jesus Christ looking directly forward with pained red eyes. As McNally explained, many people who look at this painting see a mixture of male and female characteristics, and although unintended by McNally, these characteristics are embraced as representations of the many faces and forms of Christ.

In another painting, the figure of Mary graces the large canvas. On a closer look, however, it becomes apparent that Mary's hands have been cut off, and her outstretched arms contain stumps which spurt blood. An accompanying piece of paper arranged by McNally explained that Mary represents the Church, and this image conveys the idea that we on earth are the hands of the church. In other words, our everyday actions are representations of God and we must act as God's hands on earth.

Although McNally has little time during the year to paint, his busy schedule of being a Jesuit and fine arts professor at Saint Joseph's does not prevent him from living his passion.

"In effect, I'm always painting something, although I might not actually be in front of the canvas very often during the school year," he said. "There are always one or two projects going on in my head and I am always yearning to get back to the studio, where I can make sense of my world."