Commissioned Monuments:
Monika Kaden has been commissioned to execute some monumental bronzes that have garnered much attention.
Two of her most compelling bronze sculptures are of Saint Francis of Assisi. One bronze fountain is in the permanent collection of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico. One single figure of St. Francis is installed at the CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, N.M.
Kaden often includes the writing of text on her sculptures such as phrases of her subject, relevant poetry, or her philosophical thoughts. On the tunic are excerpts from the Canticle of Brother Sun, Sister Moon written by Saint Francis, along with philosophical thoughts from the diary she kept during the time she was researching the life of the Saint.
Monika Kaden's portfolio includes a tall monument of seven feet of Pope John XXI who headed the Catholic Church and ruled the Vatican City from 1958 until he died in 1963. More than 50 years after his death he is enormously popular and widely admired as a man of goodwill, holiness, and vision.
During Kaden's research as a guest of The Vatican, she was fascinated by Pope John XXIII's thoughts and writings, (he had convened the Second Vatican Council), "which were designed to assess the church's role in rapidly changing world." (Huffington Post 2012/10/11) "It was time to open the windows and let in some fresh air", Pope John XXIII repeatedly announced.
Kaden's respect for this outspoken Pope's interest in modernizing Catholicism fueled her interest in pursuing the commission and eventually accepting the project.
Click HERE to read "Almost a Saint" on AmericanCatholic.org.
The artist, as is her style, was involved in every aspect of the execution of the massive sculpture, from the early sketches to months of research at the Vatican, to the final casting and finishing of the monument. The bronze has writings of Pope John XXIII, who from his early teens, maintained a diary of spiritual reflections that was subsequently published as "Journal of a Soul".
Other sculptures of Monika Kaden:
A stylized and gestural "Dancer"- balancing on a large ball, 3 feet in diameter. Together is the sculpture 10 feet tall. The "Dancer" is created after an essay by Jean Cocteau "Barbette".
Another monumental piece Kaden created in the last years is"Bow" Despite heavy materials Kaden's artwork expresses lightness and joyful happiness.
The artist has developed her unique, classic contemporary style through her wide-ranging life experiences and her deep love for her profession.
