Artist Information
Name: Amos, Stephen
Location(s): United States
Gender: Male
by Amos, Stephen
Dated 2024
Name: Amos, Stephen
Location(s): United States
Gender: Male
Abstract, Etching
Jesus Christ
Artist statement: "The kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of God, to exclaim: The God of nature suffers.” (1 Nephi 19:12) Imitating the style of carvings from the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, this block print uses several Maori designs to represent some of what our Saviour suffered for us, and why he did so. The left panel contains “Pakati (incise) Haehae (lacerate)”, symbolising the wounds Jesus received from scourge, nails and spear. The right panel contains the “Takarangi”, which translates to “revolving heavens” and symbolises man’s celestial origin. These themes of mortal suffering and divine identity are connected by the middle panel, spanned by the arms of Christ as he hangs in agony on a cross. Knowing that the possibility of us reaching our heavenly potential required the sacrifice of His mortal flesh and blood, God Himself willingly suffered pain so great that the earth itself was disturbed. The waves and storm-struck islands across the top portray the upheaval experienced by the earth during the immense anguish of its Creator. The heartbreaking price of salvation was written in lightning and shouted by thunder: “The God of nature suffers.”
Submitted to the 2024 BYU Book of Mormon Art Contest.
Honorable Mention in the 2024 BYU Book of Mormon Art Contest
Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT, fall 2024.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints