In invitation to Latter-day Saints around the world to express their religious faith through original art has resulted in an exhibition at the Museum of Church History and Art of more than 200 pieces representing 41 nations.
At a ceremony March 30 in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, the museum presented 27 cash prizes and 22 purchase awards to winners of its "Second International Art Competition: Themes from the Scriptures."Elder Loren C. Dunn of the Seventy, assistant executive director of the Church Historical Department, presented the awards.
Glen M. Leonard, museum director, said although the exhibit represents the cultural diversity of LDS artists working in a variety of art traditions, "there is a consistency of theme throughout.
"Each work of art was influenced in some way by a religious theme found in the scriptures."
A six-member jury selected winners from among more than 800 entries that included paintings, drawings, sculpture, photographs, textiles, ceramics, quilts, needlework and other art forms.
An anonymous donor contributed more than $50,000 for the cash prizes and purchase awards.
A purchase award means the museum buys the work of art and adds it to its collection.
Winners are from nine countries: Australia, Chile, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, the Philippines, Sweden, Tonga and the United States. In the United States, winning artists live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Missouri, New York, Texas and Utah.
The exhibition, which occupies four galleries in the museum, will run through Labor Day and is free of charge.
Awards of distinction - the top honor of the competition - went to C. Dean Draper of Sierra Ward, Fresno California West Stake; Roger W. Otis of Fairport Ward, Rochester New York Palmyra Stake; and Jose R. Riveros of Independencia Ward, Santiago Chile Independencia Stake.
Brother Draper's ceramic sculpture, "Book of Genesis: Chapter One," symbolically depicts the six creative periods described in Genesis 1, with images of Adam and Eve on the sphere.
"Queen Esther," is the title of Brother Otis' maplewood sculpture, derived from Esther 2:8 in the Old Testament. The artist said it honors courageous women like Queen Esther, who put her own life in jeopardy to save the lives of an entire generation of Jewish people.
Brother Riveros' winning entry is an oil painting, "Amumn Petu: Go Ye Therefore," based on Matt. 28:19. It features a group of Indians surrounded by the countryside in Chile. "They are waiting; we don't know for how long, but they are searching into the horizon with hope of good news for the unknown future," the artist wrote.
As diverse as the artists' cultures and the media in which they expressed themselves were the scriptures that inspired their work.
Moroni 10:5 was the theme of Eric Duarte's oil pastel on panel, "Ready for the Covenant." Brother Duarte of the Villaflor Ward, Guatemala City Guatemala Milagro Stake, explained that the work depicts a Lamanite woman from Guatemala reading the Book of Mormon. She has accepted the scriptural message and awaits a visit by missionaries, seen through the window. The painting received a merit and purchase award.
Sven Spersberg of the Stockholm (Sweden) Ward, took Ex. 32:7 as the theme of his merit award winning embroidery, "Aaron and the Golden Calf."
A modern scripture, D&C 138:47-48, was the basis for an embroidery by Lourdes D. Samson of the Pilar Branch, Orion Philippines District. Titled "Families are Forever," it refers to the coming of Elijah, foreshadowing temple work for the redemption of the dead. His work received a merit and purchase award.
Ingetraut Riemer of the Bremen 1st Ward, Hamburg Germany Stake, submitted a porcelain and earthenware sculpture that was actually a collaboration by the "Pottery Group of Bremen," with equal contributions from Sisters G. Gesell, B. Hoerstel, S. Nowak, I. Selvarajah and R. Troche. The sculpture of "The Last Supper," was based on Matt. 26:20-26 and won an award of merit.
The experience of Helaman's stripling warriors caught the imagination of Elizabeth Ann MacKay of the Carson 1st Ward, Torrance California Stake. Her oil-and-alkyd-on-canvas painting is titled "Our Mothers Knew It." It is based on Alma 56:47-48, "They had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would delver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."
By way of explanation, Sister MacKay wrote, "Surely Lamanite mothers sent their stripling sons to Helaman's army with faith and prayer in their hearts, knowing full well the spiritual as well as physical harm war could inflict."
The museum is located at 45 N. West Temple in Salt Lake City. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and most holidays. For information on exhibits, films, tours and programs, call (801) 240-3310.
