Introduction

Mary Costanza (1927-2000) was a woman of many talents. Born in 1927, she came of age in a tumultuous era of war, social upheaval and political turmoil. Her life spanned World War II, the Civil Rights Movement and the feminist revolution. Yet in her personal life she was able to balance the role of wife, mother, artist, author, teacher and social activist. Two things are immediately apparent about Mary Costanza: she was a woman with enormous talents and deep personal convictions. Both are evident in her life and in her art. In fact Mary's compassionate interest in the suffering and welfare of humankind often became the subject of her paintings. Conversely, her interest in art and history led her to research areas unexplored by most of her contemporaries during the post-war era.

The Bird

The bird represented here, the mythical phoenix, is an adaptation of one of Mary Costanza's final paintings. It remains unfinished, but represents her intense belief in the power of the human spirit to transcend suffering and, like the phoenix, rise from the ashes. The mythical bird is a symbol of hope and rebirth.