This silk painting is an
attempt to encapsulate the essence and charism of Margaret
Mary Healy-Murphy, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy
Spirit and Mary Immaculate by Adelaide, Australia artist
Gail Donovan.
The central figure represents
Margaret Mary. She stands tall, strong and grounded.
The Holy Spirit pervades - permeating and blessing the
universe, the earth, the whole of creation. As the Spirit
descends upon the figure of Margaret Mary, she is inspired
and empowered to begin the work she knows she must do
- to educate and minister to those deprived (of?)respect
for their human dignity.
There is dual symbolism
in the group of figures that her arms encircle: Not
only do they represent the generations of women who
have followed from that beginning, but also those who
have experienced the care and compassion offered to
all in need.
The spiral "ribbon
of life" emanating from the Holy Spirit also has
many layers of meaning as it encircles and united all
those in its path. This symbolism includes:
Spiritual Energy
- Life, love, freedom, justice, renewal
The many gifts of
the Holy Spirit
The many cultures
represented in the membership of the Congregation
The color and movement
in the image also symbolize the life and actions of
the Spirit in the story of this great woman, Margaret
Mary Healy-Murphy and those lives of all the wonderful
women who have, and will continue to follow in her footsteps.
About the artist
Gail
Donovan Adelaide, S. Australia
A few years ago Gail
Donovan did what so many people only dream of doing.
She left the comfort of full-time employment, workplace
security to pursue a newfound passion and nurture her
faith. Her move wasn't driven by any great ambition
to see her art hanging on prestigious gallery walls
around the world. Rather it was a need to do what God
wanted.
Gail's work does now
hang in galleries, schools and chapels in Australia,
Scotland, America and Ireland. Recently, 12 silk paintings
by the Adelaide artist were exhibited in Melbourne and
Adelaide before going on tour in Ireland and America.
This exhibition, Fire Woman Rising, celebrates the life
and times of Brigid of Ireland. Brigid, who died in
525 AD, is a significant influence in Gail's life. In
fact, the Brigidine tradition has played a major part
in Gail's artistic and spiritual development.
