Martha Hoeprich Kennedy (born 1951) is an Eisner Award-winning author and curator specializing in popular and applied graphic arts at the Library of Congress (LoC). She is recognized for her extensive work in curating exhibitions that celebrate editorial cartooning, graphic narratives, and the contributions of women in the field of illustration and cartooning.
Career and Curation Work
Kennedy has served as a prominent curator at the Library of Congress, where she has organized numerous influential exhibits focusing on editorial cartoons and social commentary through art. Some of her most notable exhibitions include:
- Enduring Outrage: Editorial Cartoons by Herblock (2006, co-curated with Sarah Willett Duke) – An exploration of the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Herbert Block, known as Herblock. The exhibit emphasized the continued relevance of his political commentary over decades.
- Timely and Timeless (2011) – A showcase of recent acquisitions by the LoC, highlighting the enduring power of editorial cartoons and their ability to address both historical and contemporary issues.
- Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists (2018) – This groundbreaking exhibition spotlighted women cartoonists and illustrators, revealing the overlooked contributions of female artists in the LoC's collections.
- Art in Action (2019, co-curated with Katherine Blood) – An exhibit focused on art addressing social justice issues, further emphasizing the use of visual art for activism and awareness.
Kennedy co-curated an earlier exhibition on the work of Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, in 2004, further demonstrating her commitment to showcasing female voices in the field.
Publications and Writing
Kennedy authored the companion book Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists (2018), published by the Library of Congress in association with the University of Mississippi Press. The book expanded on the themes of the exhibition and was widely praised for its inclusivity, featuring artists of diverse races, sexual orientations, ages, and political affiliations.
In 2019, Drawn to Purpose won the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book, a significant achievement in the comics and graphic arts community. The College Art Association commended the book for its expansive representation of underrepresented voices in the arts.
Kennedy regularly contributes to the LoC's blog, writing about the legacy of artists such as Will Eisner, Herblock, and Anne Mergen. Her articles often explore the intersection of art, politics, and social commentary. She also serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Comic Art, a respected academic publication examining global comic art history and criticism.
Contributions to Library Curation and Inclusivity
In an effort to diversify the LoC's graphic arts collection, Kennedy and her colleague Katherine Blood introduced an innovative method for public contributions. They established a "big box" on-site at the Library of Congress where visitors can deposit items they believe may be of interest for potential acquisition. This initiative has encouraged broader public engagement with the LoC's archival process.
Education and Personal Life
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Kennedy is the daughter of Paul Daniel Hoeprich and Muriel B. Hoeprich. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in the History of Art, as well as a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of California, Berkeley.
She is married to Dane Kennedy, a historian, and resides in Fairfax, Virginia.
Awards and Recognition
- Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book (2019) – Drawn to Purpose
- Praised by the College Art Association for inclusivity and diversity in graphic arts representation.
Legacy and Impact
Martha Kennedy's work has been instrumental in elevating the visibility of female cartoonists and editorial artists in mainstream art history and academic discourse. Her curatorial efforts and publications continue to influence the fields of comics scholarship and visual arts curation, making her a key figure in expanding representation in the arts.