Do you remember Sister Wendy Beckett, the British art-loving Roman Catholic nun who was something of a media star amongst the nerdy set during the 1990s? She developed a TV series about art through the ages and presented her episodes with a surprising gusto despite a speech impediment. She surprised viewers with her enthusiasm for naked bodies, male and female, defying stereotypes about the prudishness of RC sisters. She was quirky and well known enough to be the source of parodies. I studied art history for my undergraduate degree but I found Sister Wendy a bit too effusive to become a big fan.
I only recently found out that she lived for many years as a hermit, adopting an ascetic and solitary life. She translated Medieval Latin scripts before pursuing the study of art.
According to her Wikipedia bio:
She obtained papal permission to leave her congregation and to become a consecrated virgin and hermit. She began living in a caravan [travel trailer] on the grounds of a Carmelite monastery at Quidenham Norfolk, and her caravan was later replaced by a mobile home. Besides having received the Carmelite prioress and a nun who brought her provisions, she dedicated her life to solitude and prayer, but allotted two hours of work per day to earn her living.
Leaving aside the distinction between a consecrated and unconsecrated virgin, this living arrangement and spiritual focus makes sense. There is something profoundly spiritual about contemplating art and spending time in solitude would lend itself to that vocation. For me connecting with art can be as powerful as any experience in a church or a cathedral.
When interviewed about prayer Sister Wendy suggested that when we are moved by beauty, music, art this is a form of prayer, as is taking delight in sunshine. Amen!
Could a series such as hers be made today and become popular? I doubt it somehow, even though the 90s weren't that long ago.
It's slim pickins' in our library for Sister Wendy books, otherwise I would explore her work.
Sister Wendy portrait 2002
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