Highlights from the First International Art Competition exhibition held in 1987.

Bennion’s distinctive paintings often show basic relationships of love, respect for home, and simple enjoyments. The figures in her paintings are more personal expression through form and color than detailed portraiture. She wrote: “My figures are often slightly distorted, but hopefully reflect the warmth and goodness that exist with them.”

United States 
1987 
Oil on canvas 
49.5 × 37.5 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Lee Udall Bennion (1956– )

Looking at Sarah

The Prophet Joseph Smith's gaze beyond the viewer serves as the basis for a psychological artistic study of his decision to face charges in Carthage, Illinois. The positioning of Joseph with the portrait of a well–known Italian humanist philosopher invites the viewer to compare the different sources of knowledge available to the two men.

Italy 
1987 
Oil on canvas 
53 × 51 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Pino Drago (1947– )

Monday, 24 June 1844, 4:15 A.M.: Beyond the Events

Despite serious health challenges, President Kimball was known as a tireless, hardworking leader totally committed to the service of the Lord. The artist, through expert use of her pencil medium, has adeptly captured his warmth and approachable nature, and has portrayed her feelings for the subject as well. This portrait was created during the last year of President Kimball’s life.

United States 
1984 
Graphite on paper 
35.5 × 28.875 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Judith Campion (1935– )

President Spencer W. Kimball

The artist had a distinguished career as a professor of art at Brigham Young University and also as a painter whose works were sold at prestigious galleries in the U. S. The painting depicts the location where Elder Wilford Woodruff baptized the first of more than six hundred converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints in Herefordshire, England.

United States 
1987 
Oil on board 
36 × 48 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Frank Magleby (1928–2013)

Benbow Farm and Pond, England

This work depicts the spiritual progression of a young girl who, moving beyond her friends, has just been baptized. There are further symbols progressing counter–clockwise in a circle. Bread and wine of the Last Supper are emblems of the Sacrament and the crown of thorns and the Hebrew characters interpreted, “Oh Lord, My God,” relate to the Crucifixion and Atonement.

United States 
1987 
Oil on canvas 
62 × 44 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Quirl Myers (1929–2007)

Rites of Passage

The Latter-day Saint pioneers are worthy role models for people today. Ong, a successful Chinese-American Latter-day Saint artist has portrayed a friend as the ideal of pioneer womanhood. Dressed in pioneer-style clothes with a sunburned nose, she appears in profile against an arid Utah landscape. This small, gemlike painting has succeeded in uniting the past with the present.

United States 
1984 
Oil on panel 
13.5 × 10.5 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Wilson Ong (1958– )

Pioneer Lady

Rather than superficially approaching the concept of reverence, the artist has given the viewer a glimpse of the inner life of a reverent woman. Humbly, as if before the Lord, she grasps her shawl with both hands, revealing a calm facial expression.