In recent years, I’ve turned my attention to social justice, addressing the issues of mental health, immigration and the pandemic that challenge our society. Following these issues has gripped me while inundating our nation and our global community with fear and conflict.


In these new paintings, I’ve been working on a material used by graphic designers that illuminates color and allows me to create images that  provide visual relief while addressing societal challenges. 


The title, ‘When Mercy Seasons Justice,’ as well as the series of paintings titled, ‘The Quality of Mercy,’ refer to Portia’s monologue in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ where she begs Shylock for mercy:  here Shakespeare defines mercy’s power and identifies it as an attribute of God . 


I have my mother to thank for this quote, as she recited it frequently in her final years. The mercy and justice that Shakespeare speaks of - essential human qualities - have been in short supply.  Practicing mercy and justice, we can engage with the challenges to our humanity and fight for social justice.

Brigid Kennedy Website