Dennis Smith (sculptor)

Dennis V. Smith (born 1942) is an American sculptor. He is a Latter-day Saint and some of his artwork deals with LDS themes.

He is most noted in LDS circles for having created the statues that form the monument to women in Nauvoo.

Life

From 1961-1963 Smith served as an LDS missionary in Denmark. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1966.[1]

Smith began his art production in 1968, working in his father's chicken coop.[2]

Smith created a sculpture named "Christina" that is named for his Danish immigrant great-grandmother and is in Copenhagen that portrays her having a strong faith.[3] There is also a casting on "Christina" in the Statue Garden at Brigham Young University between the Museum of Art and the Harris Fine Arts Center.

Another one of his statues, this one in Rebild, Denmark represents an LDS emigrant family about to depart Denmark.[4]

There are also works by Smith in the Salt Lake City International Airport and Primary Children's Medical Center.[1]

In 1989, Smith's Signing of the Constitution sculpture was placed in US embassies in Moscow and London due to a donation of money from Richard Headlee.

Smith's In The Family Circle was given to Joan Bolger, wife of New Zealand's prime minister James Bolger by Richard G. Scott and other church representatives in 1996.[5]

His studio is located in Alpine, Utah, and he is a longtime resident of Highland, Utah.

His First Step statue has also been presented to many dignitaries by the church, including president George H. W. Bush.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 A Sense of Place, A Sense of Family: Artist Creates Sculptures for Denmark
  2. ↑ Dennis Smith - Artist, Art - Dennis V. Smith
  3. ↑ Church News, May 29, 2004
  4. ↑ Church News, August 11, 2001
  5. ↑ Church News, August 24, 1996
  6. ↑ Church News, July 25, 1992

Further reading

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