Art Student's Prints in Lewis Hall Depict Biblical Themes

Dominican University senior Emily Reynoso Muñoz is the artist behind three woodblock prints on the second floor of Lewis Hall that depict prominent Biblical themes.

An art major with a concentration in painting, Reynoso Muñoz created the black and white prints for her senior capstone project last spring. Her minor in theology, combined with a love of and appreciation for iconography, inspired her art as she depicted the Garden of Eden, the Crucifixion and the Book of Revelation across the pieces—each covered in symbolism and detail.

“I was trying to think of what stories in the Bible were most interesting for me,” Reynoso Muñoz said. “I started research for my pieces before the spring semester started because I wanted to do justice to the references I was including.”

Looking closely, there are many intricate details to be found, down to the species of fish depicted with Adam and Eve.

“In my woodblock prints I try to add little ‘Easter eggs,’” Reynoso Muñoz explained, referring to the hidden design surprises found in her art. “In the Garden of Eden piece, there are three little chicks in one of the corners, bunnies hidden away, butterflies if you look for them. I really like it when my friends say, ‘I looked at it and I just found something I hadn’t noticed before.’ That’s a really fun aspect of it.”

Woodblock art involves sketching a design on a wooden board and then intricately carving out each line. The process was lengthy but ultimately rewarding, Reynoso Muñoz acknowledged.

A freelance artist outside of class, she has created other artwork for Dominican, including a piece for ¡El Futuro is here!, the national conference on culturally sustaining ministry. Two other pieces were acquired by the Dean’s Office.

“I think my years at Dominican have made a foundation for me to be able to continue having a career in art,” she said.