Visio Divina

Untitled  |  Minnie Evans (1450–1500)

Minnie Evans was an artist whose work was inspired by God when she was in her fifties; she was born in 1892 in North Carolina.

Minnie’s African American ancestry traces back from Trinidad.

Minnie had a compelling spiritual experience which led to her learning how to draw in 1935. It was Good Friday when she heard God’s command telling her to draw. Following this vision, she was inspired to paint for the next five decades. After completing a second drawing the day after Good Friday, she recollected many years later that those initial works of art were made by her “subconscious

doodling.” Those two works are now at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Minnie Evans was fascinated by the book of Revelation and created many paintings in the 1960s and 70s that combined her

interest in gardening with the lush vibrancy of creation. In particular, she was inspired by the feminine divine and felt compelled to paint visions she received directly from God. She is known for combining goddess-like faces and figures with floral motifs and patterns in her brightly colored art. She has been quoted as saying “Something has my hand” when she spoke of the process of creating art, attributing her talent, ideas and inspiration to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.