Typifying of Christ

The BYU Museum of Art currently has a powerful exhibit including paintings and other works that typify of Christ. Our guide was Rita Wright; she opened my eyes to new ways at looking at the artwork and elicited group participation that allowed many insightful perspectives and comments to be shared. If you are not very experienced interpreting artwork I would recommend going with a couple other people and discussing what thoughts and feelings come. We spent enough time on a much smaller number of works than were diplayed to really learn something and appreciate what we were seeing. The tourist who tries to see everything in a crammed amount of time may regret not just visiting a couple things in earnestness.
I was probably captivated most by the multi-layered meaning in pieces we viewed due to symbolism in colors, objects, juxtaposition of things, and the subjects or allusions involved. The large bronze cast at the entrace to the exhibit beautifully depicts a man either grasping or letting-go of the iron rod (symbolic of the word of God) while a Christ-like figure reaches through a veil towards him. His other arm reaches the opposite direction creating a cruciform shape. This majestic, strong figure parting the veil to reach towards the man in the precarious position provides hope and serenity to the situation. We looked at a couple pieces showing the "bread of life" and the "living water." Then I was moved by discussion of the prodigal son with two different paintings full of symbolism. Both shed light in unique ways on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how through Him we can start our lives anew, fresh, and in a more abundant way than any life of sin could provide. The last two paintings we discussed and pondered were of Christ carrying the cross and then of Christ appearing to Mary "the moment after." The first is incredibly moving. Christ is depicted in such a real way, with a real body and emotions. It captures sorrow and power, imminent death and His immortality and divinity. He has carried our crosses. I felt the Spirit confirm through this painting that Christ has carried my burdens in a very real way.
If you are anywhere near Provo I would highly recommend using this (free) great resource to learn through the powerful medium of art.