Star of the Kingdom of God on Earth
Jason Metcalf
- Medium
United States
ca. 2019
Acrylic on canvas
This quilt block painting uses the “star of Bethlehem” pattern commonly used by Metcalf’s pioneer ancestors. “At that time of exodus and migration, many [quilt] designs expressed movement and direction,” he said. “Every shape and color of this piece has symbolic meaning that points to the faith, belief, and unwavering endurance of my ancestors as they struggled to reach the high mountain valley of the Great Salt Lake.”
For example, brown represents “earth and the vast distances the Saints travelled to reach Zion. Twelve green squares represent the tribes of Israel, the gathering of the Saints, [and] the Quorum of the Twelve. Red, yellow, blue, and white chevrons are symbolic of the full spectrum of Heavenly Father’s children that are invited to gather in Zion and the temple.”