Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University Museum of Art will host "What Is Christ," an exhibition featuring paintings and sculptures by Nick Leeper, S.J. The exhibition opens on Friday, May 3, and will run through Sunday, May 26.

Leeper's works aim to encourage viewers to perceive God through secular items. He stated, “The heart of Ignatian spirituality is using one’s imagination. Art is a mode to engage that. We should be prepared to use our imagination to have an encounter with God.”

The exhibition comprises four oil paintings and four sculptures made from wood and plaster. These pieces emerged from Leeper's capstone project where he explored philosophy in art and religion.

“I was looking at the intersection of philosophy and art through a Jesuit lens,” said Leeper. His work investigates how secular objects can reveal deeper insights into the identity of Christ, similar to how artists like El Greco and Manet portray Christ using light and color.

“The exhibition is about encountering God in ordinary objects,” Leeper explained. “Theatre, art, movies, songs – they give us more than just the words or what we see. Art inspires the imagination.”

Leeper began creating these pieces last summer at an art school in New York before continuing their development upon his return to Saint Louis University (SLU) in the fall.

Belonging to the Jesuits USA East Province, Leeper will graduate from SLU this month before returning to New York City where he will teach art and history at Xavier High School. At SLU, he contributed to running Java with the Jesuits and helped expand coffee sessions into six retreats this year.

Leeper holds a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Rutgers University-Newark as well as a master’s degree in church management from Villanova University.

An opening reception for "What Is Christ" will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 3 at SLUMA located at 3663 Lindell Blvd. The museum operates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.