There is Only One Man in the World 1967

Corita Kent made this print, "There is Only One Man in the World," using screen printing, and it’s all about process, that much is clear. The way the blocky, diagonal stripes of red and blue undulate across the surface makes me think of a flag billowing in the wind, or maybe a groovy, 60s Op Art explosion. I love how the white text, pulled from a Carl Sandburg poem, snakes its way through the composition. It feels casual, like a spontaneous thought scribbled down. Look closely, and you can see the slight imperfections in the screen print – the way the ink bleeds ever so slightly around the edges, giving it a handmade feel. That rawness is part of the charm! Kent's work reminds me a little of Sister Mary Thomasita, another nun who made art, especially in its use of bold color and simplified form. But Kent brings a pop sensibility that's all her own. Ultimately, this print is a reminder that art doesn't have to be perfect or precious, it can be a messy, heartfelt expression of our shared humanity.