What is the best thing you have to devote to the Kingdom of God? It is the talents God has given you.
Discourses of Brigham Young, 445
What is the best thing you have to devote to the Kingdom of God? It is the talents God has given you.
Discourses of Brigham Young, 445
Rendering the Spiritual Gary Ernest Smith From an address given Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the inaugural Fine Art & Faith Symposium in Salt Lake City, Utah First Vision, Gary Ernest Smith The arts have been a vital part of LDS culture since the gospel was restored. Many of the Church's leaders have had profound things to say about the importance of art in enriching people's lives. President Kimball encouraged artists by asking the questions, “Can there never be another Michelangelo?.... and could the world produce only one Shakespeare?” His talk was intended to stimulate creative thought among the artists in the Church on how to incorporate gospel themes and ideas into their art. He stressed that this challenge must be met with utmost quality and skill. President Boyd K. Packer also encouraged artists not to climb ladders that are “leaning against the wrong wall," meaning not to sacrifice your values and talent just for the praise of the world. In 1934, President J. Ruben Clark, in an address to an MIA June Conference, said: "Music, art, literature and the drama, looked at from the point of view of the Church, are priceless to us because of the ennobling effect they have upon the spirit of man… In so far as they ennoble the spirit, and I think of nothing else that is greater in its influence upon the mind and spirit of man than are these things, they are the great instrument in the hands of the Lord in building up a spirituality among this people."
My address is to focus attention on the visual arts, primarily painting, as that is with what I am the most familiar. I have dedicated much of my life in defining what spiritual art means for me. My comments are primarily directed to the visual artists in the Church, but they can be applied to all art disciplines as we all struggle with the same issues. I will rephrase my topic by calling it "Rendering Visible the Spiritual," as that is what we as LDS visual artists attempt to do. Since being baptized into the Church in 1966, I have addressed the concept of Mormon Art throughout my adult life. I have produced many commissioned images for the Church to be used for media, temples, and displays. I was part of a movement started at BYU in the late 70s called, "Art and Belief." This happened just after my baptism and was meant to take LDS concepts in new directions and explore ways of expressing history, doctrine, and the written and spoken word through our art. It was invigorating as a student and very popular during its time and has had long-lasting implications. There was much of personal insight into interpretation that could be used by the Church but much of it was more about self-exploration and expression. The same question is still occurring today as it was then. What is Mormon art? By its very title, it has religious implications. It can be very broad in its view, even illusive, and is often indefinable in a general sense. Is it religious or spiritual art for the enrichment or betterment of the Church or is it art produced by Mormons for a narrow and yet sometimes broader secular audience? Today it is both. It may mean we need to look for a more inclusive title than Mormon Art in interpreting and seeking the meaning of a spiritual nature. There are a lot of paintings, sculpture, and visual creations by LDS artists. But, what does it take to make art that will stand the test of time and be created by the Michelangelos of our time that President Kimball referred to? Could we produce art that not only inspires our members but also receives the praise of the world? William Whitaker, a great friend, artist and dedicated Latter-day Saint, recently passed away. He was appointed a year ago to serve on the committee to select art for temples. One of his repeated quotes was, "I've long said that the Church has an immense collection of everyone's second rate efforts.” If this statement is true, perhaps we need to step up and apply our inspiration and skills a bit better. What does it take to achieve such lofty goals? It takes training, discipline and hard work in learning your craft. This is essential. All the elements of a work of art – composition, design, color, subject, concept, execution, ability and expression – are all equally important and part of a whole. These things must be learned and practiced. There is, however, a gift given to some by God that takes art to a higher level. That is what we strive for. No matter what our abilities, we need to be the best we can be. There is a tradition in painting and sculpture that we have criteria by which we can judge the quality of a work. In today's contemporary art world, many rules have been thrown out and personal expression is often of singular importance, making art harder to judge and often leaving the viewer and society in bewilderment. Other artists, styles, and cultures influence us all. The very best style for any artist is the one that comes naturally and is perfected in their own time, by practice, inspiration and patience. This becomes the uniqueness of his or her work and is not achieved by following superficial trends or commercialism. This becomes an artist's personal signature. Can an artist be true to their art by commercializing their work through commissions that may challenge their sense of personal expression? Obviously, yes. Great art has been done under patronage for centuries. If you are making a living with your talent, you must learn how to walk the "tight rope" in satisfying a client and yourself. When working for the Church, we must remember they have very specific needs. Often it is to illustrate an event or principle. If we are willing to meet those needs, we may contribute under those conditions. We can always give more than asked by pushing art to a higher standard of quality and still satisfy a requirement. I think that is what is asked of us. The other road is to find religious expression in your own personal pursuits that may or may not find acceptability in a church setting. This is often a more difficult road for one who produces spiritual art and is making a living from it. However, it could be honest and ennobling art and may have great consequence. Often the greatest art is done by the artist following his own dictates. We artists all would like to make a significant contribution to Church art. As much as we would like that to happen, we give our best and time becomes the judge. It takes many years for art to historically settle in its importance. The art that seems to survive says the most about an artist's time, the subject matter, the culture, and that has the greatest influence on the most people over the longest period of time. These works become the icons of history. Sometimes the most popular art, or the most popular living artists, are the first forgotten. Popularity does not always mean importance. Time has given me a perspective on my own life and art. This perspective comes by reflecting and examining a body of work. I found a greater means of expression by following and learning basic principles of art. When learned, and I am still learning, it gives me a foundation that evolved into an even greater ability to see and interpret. Much of my career has been rooted in experimentation, finding what works for me. I have also spent a lifetime studying the great art of the world in the best museums. I have tried to put a name to what I do but, it is so rooted in so many things, it becomes very personal in interpretation. An artist's work is like a signature, a natural expression. I have reconciled the balance between personal expression and working with clients over the years. I have also come to realize that the best I have to offer in my art is my own personal insight, talent, and vision. Having worked for many years with galleries, the Church, and in the professional art world at large, I have come to a place in my life where I can give considerable focus to paintings of a spiritual nature; and that defines what art means to me. With the publication of The Joseph Smith Papers and books like Rough Stone Rolling, and with more direct access to early Church documents and materials, my attention has been drawn to works dealing with the early founding of the Church and Church history in general. A series of important experiences in my life started with being called, along with other colleagues, to create murals for the Nauvoo Temple. That commission led to murals for other temples, other spiritual callings, and numerous paintings for the Church. These experiences have focused my attention on some important things I want to accomplish in my later years. While doing the Nauvoo Temple murals, President Hinkley made an important comment when asked, "Why put original murals in temples?" His response was, "The reason we are doing murals for the temples is because the artist puts a spirit into the paint. The original painting becomes a living thing that inspires. The same spirit does not translate in the same way in the mechanical process of print. The original painting takes on a life of its own that enhances the rooms and makes more meaningful the ceremony." Art becomes a living thing that can change and inspire hearts. We have a great responsibility to visualize in the lives of our fellow man, imagery that can inspire and touch hearts. We look for a meaning or definition for "Mormon Art." Various regions of the country are examining "Mormon Art" concepts, and organizations are working to define it. Art and expression will not be defined or narrowed into neat categories. Art and artists are too diverse. We feel the need to educate deeper meaning and understanding of art and aesthetics at a higher level among the saints and our fellow man. We have the gospel that unites us. Artists in the Church wish to give of their talents to the Lord in fulfilling the Church's mission. How we do it is very personal. I do believe we have the tools to accomplish these things based on our personal abilities, testimonies, and gifts of the Spirit. We need to remember some important things in relationship to what is called "Mormon Art." We are rendering visual the spiritual – past present, and future. We are producing art that ennobles the spirit. We are producing a living thing that can inspire others. The definition of ennoble is to "deify, dignify, elevate, exalt, glorify, magnify." In the many years I have worked with Mormon art concepts, these words come the closest to uniting the cause of artists dedicated to giving the best of their talents to the Lord. I think of the artists called and inspired in building and furnishing the tabernacle of ancient Israel with "cunning works." In Exodus 31:6 they are referred to as "wise hearted." May we ponder, pray, and ask for guidance by the Spirit. Comments are closed.
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