Driving Wind, 2015

Mary Ann Osborne, SSND

linden wood, copper, brass, ink  

This carving by Mary Ann Osborne reflects Pentecost.  It was one of the works she created for With Passion, her 2015 exhibition at The Basilica, inspired by quotes from Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger and Pope Francis.

Sister Mary Ann created her first carvings in 1985. By 1988 she was a full-time artist. After thirteen years of teaching in elementary schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa, she was starting to feel that her future had a different path.  She felt she was now being called to teach in a new way.

Her art reflects many sources of inspiration. It draws viewers in and invites them to discover their own stories. There are stories from scripture and feast days like the Annunciation, Epiphany and Pentecost.  Sister Mary Ann also responds to conversations, local and international events, peace and justice issues and acts of nature. She is inspired by writings and music, old and new.

The artist spends most of her days working in her sunny studio space at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato. Sometimes she will sketch ideas on paper.  But she prefers to start with the wood, carving soon after some initial drawing directly on the surface.  She usually begins with the faces. When studying with Sister Sigmunda May she was encouraged to follow her heart, listen to God and let the characteristics of the wood guide her process.  For carvings she typically uses kiln dried wood, bass or linden. The embellishments she adds to her wood sculptures often have their own stories.  She has repurposed arches and copper from buildings under renovation. And people often drop off items they think she may be able to use; parts of a beautiful broken vase, pieces of glass or silver or small logs from a beaver dam.  Eventually these items find their way into a piece of art.

Her work can be found around the world in churches, schools, hospitals and homes. In addition to wood carving, she does woodcut prints and also works with glass.

Dimension: 32”h x 43”w x 1”d

Country:  USA

Rights: © Mary Ann Osborne, sistermaryannosborne.com

Classification:  carving

Reflection or Prayer:  

“The Holy Spirit  would  appear  to create  disorder  in the Church, since the Spirit brings the diversity of charisms and gifts: yet all this, is a great source of wealth.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Unity, which does not mean uniformity, but which leads everything back to harmony.”

Pope Francis

“Pray again and again that the Holy Spirit may let you recognize and do what is right!”

Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger