Zion Art Podcast
A podcast hosted by Dr. Micah Christensen | PhD History of Art, University College London
Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Probert focuses on the specifics the Assembly Hall, its history and its role as one of the spiritual homes of the early Saints. Many of these buildings were a rare opportunity for leaders of the Church to express our beliefs through art and architecture.
The Interior of the Salt Lake Assembly Hall
Detail of the Salt Lake Assembly Hall Ceiling
The artist Jeff Hein joins us to discuss how we use monumental religious painting in LDS culture. Much like Carl Bloch's series of paintings for the Fredriksborg Castle in Denmark, Hein is beginning a twenty year venture to create large scale depictions of the life of Christ. We discuss that process the challenges both technically and philosophically of such a task.
Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda, by Carl Heinrich Bloch (Danish, 1834-1890). Oil on Canvas. 111 x 126 in. BYU Museum of Art.
Triumphal Entry (2016) by Jeff Hein. Oil on Linen. 54 x 72 in. LDS Church Collection.
In this first half of a two part discussion with Dr. Probert, we discuss the dichotomy of Catholic-inspired and Protestant-inspired architecture and art. The effect that these influences have on our culture, generally have been pervasive. Our discussion focuses on this duality, manifest in a photo of Temple Square in Salt Lake City in the 1890s.
Temple Square circa 1890. Photograph courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.
Artist Bryan Mark Taylor discusses one of his favorite landscape works, fortunately housed at BYU's Museum of Art. His work has built on the many varied techniques and teachings honed through years of training and exhibited right now in a new show at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Along with two landscape artists Josh Clare and John Burton, the beautiful scenes experienced by the Pioneers in their trek west have been remarkably captured by oil on canvas for us to enjoy today.
William Bliss Baker (American, 1859-1886) Fallen Monarchs (1886) Oil on canvas. 30 x 39 3/4 in. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo.
An introduction to the Saint's at the Devil's Gate Exhibit at the Church History Museum
Artist and teacher Ryan Brown discusses a recent commission to hearken to one of the most iconic images in modern LDS culture. He also discusses the role of educating patrons, artists and the public on the importance of arts literacy.
Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda, by Carl Heinrich Bloch (Danish, 1834-1890). Oil on Canvas. 111 x 126 in. BYU Museum of Art.
Learn more about works by Ryan Brown here.
The Lord's Prayer by Ryan Brown. Oil on Panel. 32 x 24 in.
And learn more about the Masters Academy of Art, lectures and classes here.
Author and Scholar Richard Bushman joins us with Glen Nelson, founder of the Mormon Artists Group to discuss their upcoming Mormon Arts Center Festival. They also discuss a work chosen from the Church History Museum Collection by Daniel Everett, a photographer who captured an abstract image of the Provo City Center Temple.
Dr. Rita Wright, director of the Springville Museum of Art sits down with Micah to discuss the influence that her painting Et in Arcadia Ego by Wulf Barsch has had on her home. They also discuss the importance of fine art, whether classical, modern or anything in between both in a museum setting and in the home.
Wulf Barsch (German, b. 1943 ) Et in arcadia ego (c. 2010) Oil on canvas. Private collection of Dr. Rita Wright.
Paige Anderson has become well known for her geometric paintings, invoking the patterns, color and spirit of an entire era of pioneer quilts. Her position in this timeline has helped her reflect on the role of quilts in the lives of these women crossing the plains and the role of her art in LDS culture today.
Log Cabin Quilt from the book Quilts and Women of the Mormon Migration
Stacking Miracles (2017) by Paige Anderson. Acrylic on Panel. On Show at Springville Museum of Art, 93rd Annual Spring Salon.
To view more of Paige's work you can follow her on Instagram or visit her website, paigeandersonart.com
