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SALT LAKE CITY -- Making a statement about faith through art. That's what a group of Latter-day Saint artists hopes to do with the building of a temple in Rome. In honor of the occasion, they have come together with a current art exhibit.
The exhibit at the Church Museum of History and Art was created by a group of Latter-day Saints who were commissioned to create artwork under the title "Seek My Face" -- the face of Christ, in paintings and sculptures that showcase talent and faith.
Gary Smith's painting is of the Savior emerging out of the universe.
"I kept seeing ‘seek my face' in the scriptures and in Psalms and all over and I thought, ‘That's an intriguing thing,'" he said. "That's what artists painting religious works, particularly New Testament Christ paintings, are doing: seeking the face of Christ to get to a true or at least what they feel is a true image of Christ. And every artist has their own interpretation of that, but that's what we're trying to do is seek that face and put it into some kind of context we feel good about."
"It was great to be included with a group of artists who maybe don't generally paint religious subject matter a lot because the marketplace doesn't bear religious art well," he continued. "Nice to be part of something with no financial remuneration."
The exhibit features 29 American professional artists from various backgrounds, but sharing a common religious orientation. With sincerity and dedication, skilled painters and sculptors have expressed stories from the Bible and The Book of Mormon in new, original pictures. These new and contemporary works share insight into subjects that depict the life and teachings of the Savior.
Construction is in early stages for a Latter-day Saint Temple in Rome, with dedication possible in two years. These same artists are preparing to have an exhibit there at the same time.
Smith says he will do something similar but larger: a face of Christ,10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide all in white. It will be a challenge.
"Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven" by Michael Malm represents, he says, the gentleness of the Savior.
"To participate in something like this is a tremendous responsibility to do it right, because the Italians know their art," he said. "Knowing that you're going to be exhibiting with these other artists who are high-caliber artists it's kind of raising the bar for me, so I have to step up and do my absolute best."
Cassandra Barney's "Mary Magdalene" is a work of hope mixed with Christian symbols.
45 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake
Hours:
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On display through June 20, 2011. Admission is free.
"People often don't understand Mormonism or assume we're not Christian. I hear that a lot, so a show somewhere else where we get to help celebrate and explain what we believe, what an exciting opportunity," Barney said. "It's exciting being part of the group. I haven't had that community feeling, putting important depth into a show, and it's more powerful."
Wulf Barsch von Benedikt says his painting "The Book of Walking Forth By Day" means the day of resurrection. He has a studio in Rome.
"Mormon art," he said, "is often a little bit on the sweet and sticky side, so I think it's a good thing to have the other side, too," he said. "I grew up as a Catholic, so those two things go together -- Rome, Salt Lake, it's a good combination."
Jeffrey Hein painted the "Crucified Savior" and says, "Being part of the group is a huge honor. The world doesn't want to see more paintings of Christ. They see Him through the Renaissance works, so it's a bit of a challenge. But on the other hand, doing a painting like this brings me back down to earth. It's an egotistical way to make a living, but when you paint the Savior you say to yourself, ‘OK, now this is something really important.'"
Some of the artists already have ideas for the Rome exhibit while others are still planning, but they all look forward with excitement.
The exhibit 'Seek My Face' will continue through June 20 at the Church Museum of History and Art.
Email: cmikita@ksl.com
