Mormon Artist

There is and has been much discussion regarding what it means to be both religious and an artist during my time here at BYU. I have read, heard, and seen many opinions—some saying that it is our duty to disunite our beliefs and our work, and others saying it is our moral obligation to infuse each aspect together as often as possible. For the most part, I tend to think that we must approach our work with an open mind and an open heart; so while we may not be actively seeking God’s presence in all that we do and create, we allow him to send his spirit to guide and influence our actions.

I have many subconscious reservations and expectations in both the art I produce and that I consume. I realize that I make certain sacrifices in how I interact with art, such as imposing moral guidelines on the art I observe. While some may argue that this necessarily weakens my artistic sensibilities (as I cannot experience the entirety of the artistic community), I realize that this is indeed a strength rather than a weakness. My moral obligations allow me to weed through much unneeded artistic material, as well as allowing me to experience art that strictly buffs my spirituality and countenance. By choosing to allow my beliefs to influence my interactions with art, I am increasing my opportunity to grow and be strengthened with each experience.

To be a “Mormon artist” means to marry your beliefs with your artistic interactions. You choose to filter both what you produce and what you consume according to the principles of the gospel. Being a Mormon artist can be challenging, but it also brings with it many rewards as well. You are never forced to reconcile your religious self with your artistic self, as they can be both one and the same. Your beliefs change the way you interact with art, and in turn, art expounds on your understanding of those beliefs.