Heather L. Stock, "Tangible Testimonies," Ensign, Sep 2009, 40-45
Consider the many gifts and blessings our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us. By recognizing our gifts and the blessings in our lives, we show reverence for God and strengthen our individual testimonies. Sharing our testimonies, however, isn't limited to words. Our faith can be expressed in the notes of a hymn, the shaping of clay, or the strokes of a paintbrush.
Walking into the exhibit of the Eighth International Art Competition is like walking into a testimony meeting of colors and shapes from 44 countries. In Doctrine and Covenants 115:5 we read, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations," and the work of these Latter-day Saint artists is doing just that.
This triennial contest's entries include paintings and handcrafted designs that reflect the theme, "Remembering the Great Things of God." Our earthly home, the restored gospel, and the precious Atonement of our Savior are some of the subjects the artists have magnified. Out of 1,089 submissions, nearly 200 were selected, including 20 merit awards and 18 purchase awards. The exhibit will be open to the public in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, until October 11, 2009. It offers a chance to be spiritually strengthened by these tangible testimonies.
The exhibit can also be seen online by following the links at www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum.
Left: Tree of Life II, by Carol Byington Johnson, Quilted fabric.
Sister Johnson says, "My artwork depicts the love of God as described in 1 Nephi 11:25, where the tree of life is described as a representation of the love of God."
Below: The Child, by Kathleen Bateman Peterson, Oil painting, Merit Award.
Of her work, Sister Peterson says, "This is a painting about God's greatest gift to us-life itself."
Right: We Thank Thee, O God, for Our Prophets, by Aldo Alejandro del Bosque Hernandez, Wood and mosaic sculpture.
"In this work," says the artist, "the radio chassis represents the love and devotion of President Gordon B. Hinckley and the work he did to advance the Church through the media."
Right: "I Returned to My Father in the Fields" (Joseph Smith-History 1:50), by Howard Post, Oil painting.
"After recovering from the effects of the four appearances of Moroni," says Brother Post, "Joseph recounted his experience to his father."
Above: Lehi's Dream, by Larry Ogan, Oil on wood.
Brother Ogan says, "Lehi tasted the fruit of the tree and was filled with the gospel of Jesus Christ. ... Eternal life was now within his reach."
Right: Steady Course (see 1 Nephi 8), by Jon Helaman Saline, Carved silver maple wood.
Of his work, Brother Saline says, "This platter is a representation of Lehi's dream and the freedom each of us has to take hold of the iron rod or to let go and become lost in unknown paths."
Along the bottom of pages 41-45, you will see small details of a sampling of images from the art competition. For the complete catalog of images, go online and follow the links at www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum.
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