Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided
Open to the public now through June 25 at the Thrivent Art Gallery inside Thrivent’s Corporate Center. Visitors are welcome from 10am to 2pm, Tuesday through Thursday and by appointment.
Thrivent Art Collection has collaborated with the Vatican Museums to bring artworks to Minneapolis that have never before been exhibited in the United States. They’re displayed alongside treasured pieces from the Thrivent Art Collection. As the beautiful exhibition catalog states, “Looking at art together can elicit powerful change” – I felt changed by viewing the creativity, faith, imagination and talent of these artists. We talked to Joanna Lindell about the unique collaboration, the key artworks on display and how to visit. Put this one on your to-do list and hurry because this art exhibition leaves Minneapolis on June 25!
Albrecht Durer – The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1498Q: What inspired the collaboration between Thrivent Art Collection and the Vatican Museums?
A: As a purpose-driven Fortune 500 organization that empowers lives of service and faith, we greatly appreciate the profound impact of expressing faith through art. Our partnership with the Vatican Museums celebrates this timeless expression and furthers our passion for sharing it with others.
Q: How does this collaboration align with the missions and values of both organizations?
A: We each have a shared belief in preserving art and culture while making it more accessible to communities. This collaboration highlights our collective appreciation for expressing faith through art, and we’re honored to be sharing this unique experience with the Minneapolis community.
Q: Can you tell us about some of the key artworks that are on display as part of Art That Unites?
A: The exhibition features 27 pieces from the Vatican’s Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art and 29 pieces from Thrivent’s own collection. Some of the key objects from the Vatican include lithographs by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, aquatints by Joan Miró, and a woodcut by Edvard Munch. Pieces on display from Thrivent’s collection include art by Pablo Picasso, Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt van Rijn and Elizabeth Catlett. Shown together, this exhibition weaves a narrative spanning the evolution of art and theology, inviting gallery visitors to explore the intersections of faith, art, and the human experience.
Q: What unique perspectives or insights does Thrivent Art Collection bring to the collaboration with the Vatican Museums?
Aribert Munzner, Genesis, 1990A: We created the Thrivent Art Collection to be a shared cultural and educational experience, and “Art That Unites” reinforces our commitment to this. The exhibition speaks volumes about one of the most powerful aspects of this collaboration, which demonstrates how uniquely art brings people together in a meaningful way. Through Thrivent’s international collaboration with the Vatican Museums, we are exploring inspiration between artists through six historical centuries and across cultures, and we’re fostering connection among gallery visitors in our city.
Q: Do you have a favorite piece in this exhibit?
A: One of my favorite works is a set of four aquatints by artist Joan Miró for a project he made inspired by a song of praise called the “Canticle of the Sun” written by St. Francis of Assisi. Miró presents St. Francis’ lyrical 13th century song, and the expressive multitude of Creation itself, with organic, abstract forms and vibrant, symbolic use of color. These spectacular images are full of energy and continue a centuries long artistic tradition of depicting Creation, but in a beautifully modern way.
Sandra Bowden, Do This in Remembrance of Me, 1980Q: Are there any plans for future collaborations between Thrivent Art Collection and the Vatican Museums or similar partnerships with other cultural institutions?
A: While we don’t have any collaborations currently planned, we have a very close relationship with the Vatican Museums and we’re always open to exploring new opportunities that align with our purpose and values. Right now, we’re focused on what this partnership means for us. This momentous exhibition features works of art from the Vatican Museums that have never before been exhibited in the United States, so we’re enjoying this significant occasion and the impact it’s having on our organization and community.
Q: How may the public visit this stunning exhibition?
A: The exhibition is open to the public now through June 25 at the Thrivent Art Gallery, located inside Thrivent’s Corporate Center at 600 Portland Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. We are welcoming visitors from 10am to 2pm, Tuesday through Thursday and by appointment.
Becky Fillinger
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