Handed down & altered
Updated: Oct 24, 2018
“And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.”
These words from Mormon 9:32 are inspiration for J. Kirk Richards collaborative project to be seen at the Mormon Arts Festival in NYC this June.
The idea for this project was that artists would paint the things of their soul and share with other artists. Those artists would in turn paint the things of their souls, using the previous artwork as inspiration. All of the art was done on 5x7 gold “plates” and then complied into a book of visual testimonies. In that way, the work was “handed down and altered” through each artist’s unique voice.
I was a part of Rose Datoc Dall’s group, and inspired by her beautiful images of the tree of life I decided to paint a picture of life just before the fruit. Still on the path and still in the mist of darkness. The many politics and precepts of life make it difficult to see clearly. In middle of that dark mist, say a prayer and look up. As I do, I’m overwhelmed by the many guiding lights that are present even in the darkness.
Below is the digital version. I worked out all my issues on this copy before recreating it traditionally.
A quick shout out to all the artists participating in this project. It can be hard to share the things of your soul. Skills often fall short of the beauty of divine truth. One thing I love about the verse chosen for this project how it calls out the language of the writers. This language was a skill which, according to Moroni, continually fell short of the truths he wished to express. I am so grateful he wrote anyways. So thankyou to the artists who made this project possible. And for those of you who may be afraid that weakness will muddle your message, remember Moroni’s words, “the Lord knoweth the things which we have written . . . therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.” Mormon 9:34
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