Latter-day Saint Life

LDS Artist Wins International Art Competition with Unique, Faith-Filled Sculpture of Death

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LDS sculptor Tyson Snow has been creating all of his life. From sacrament meetings to school classes, he always had a pencil in hand to capture the beauty of the world around him and his imagination.

Recently, he won first place in the International ARC Salon Competition where over 2,500 entries were submitted. Learn more about his unique take on art and his recent success.

One of the “truest” purposes of art, he said, is to “lift, elevate and teach.” Latter-day Saints, as temple-going people, should recognize that images can be a powerful teaching tool, Brother Snow remarked. “Unfortunately, we live in a very literal world. All of those wonderful, rich meanings that symbols have to offer — it’s a language that has been primarily lost.”

Brother Snow said part of his hope in creating art is to teach people sacred truths — “what our potential might be or what our relationship to God is or how we can change through the Atonement.”

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“The Reaper,” for example, is the product of years of Brother Snow’s accumulated thoughts and feelings surrounding death. The “Grim Reaper” has typically been used as a symbol to strike fear into the hearts of people and has traditionally been depicted as a skeleton in a cloak. “But [I believe] if death is properly understood, or understood as Latter-day Saints or as others in the religious world [understand it] or as the Savior taught it, it’s not something to be feared.”

With that in mind, Brother Snow decided to depict his reaper as a woman.

Lead image from Deseret News.

For more faith-filled sculptures you can put in your own home, check out these great creations at Deseret Book!

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Lead, Kindly Light: This sculpture is based on Simon Dewey's best-selling painting of the Savior and depicts His sharing of comfort and guidance with us all. 12" Cold Cast Bronze

In the Arms of His Love:May we take time from our busy schedules for reflection, for feeling the love of our Savior and the deep love we feel for Him and a profound gratitude for His gift. The title for this piece, “In The Arms of His Love” is taken from D&C 6:20. It is my attempt to answer, in the medium of sculpture, the quest that Emma Lou Thayne masterfully accomplished in her poem: “Where Can I Turn For Peace.”

He Is Risen:"He is not here: for he is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matt. 28:6). This unique sculpture provides a visual reminder of the assurance we have through Jesus Christ that this life is not the end. Hand-Cast Resin sculpture: 16" x 8" x 18"

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