The art curator at the Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught students the importance of recognizing sacred arts from around the world in a BYU-Idaho forum.
Laura Paulson Howe compared the different art styles and mediums to different sorts of grammar and languages. She said the different art forms can be understood best when the viewer tries to understand its history and significance.
“Every creature is a really big guest list,” Howe said. “But the invitation is to all, for all are alike unto God, even if all speak many different visual languages.”
Catherine Erekson, a BYU-Idaho student studying history, said Howe’s forum taught her the important role art plays in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“I definitely knew that art was an important way to express religious devotion, but I had never thought of it as a way to connect with people,” Erekson said. “Usually, we focus on speaking the language, so speaking in a language in a different way, though art was really interesting.”
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Howe spoke about the Church’s International Art Competition. This year’s theme is “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down.” She said she loves seeing how it crafts a way for members across the world to show case their beliefs in another “visual language.”
“You’re going to visually see lots of different artists bringing their own artistic styles and their own training as they think about what does it mean to lift up the hands which hang down,” Howe said. “I love these international art competitions. They really showcase the breadth and depth of Latter-day Saint visual culture.”
To listen to Howe’s forum or full interview, visit BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.