Eli Kerns

Submitter Statement:

Throughout my time at BYU, I have been inspired by the wonderful students and faculty of the Art Department and have come to deeply appreciate their individual voices and perspectives. Their contributions have enriched our BYU community and left a lasting impression on me.

I chose to use the imagery of a thistle to symbolically represent the value of voices and perspectives that are often overlooked or underappreciated. There is profound beauty and goodness to be found in people (and plants) that may not align with conventional standards of perfection.

My experience in BYU’s Art Department has broadened my perspective and taught me to approach the world with greater openness. It has also helped me recognize the value of the light I have to share, even when its reach feels limited.

Entry Description

68"x60", Kitakata Paper, Pigmented Pencil, Wax

Sharing light doesn’t always mean broadcasting brilliance; it can be as simple as creating space for growth and encouraging gradual transformation. A quiet voice is often the very impetus needed for change, growth, and the recognition of the sacred in our own stories and surroundings.

The thistle, carefully rendered and preserved in wax, becomes a symbol of the divinity found in the dismissed and overlooked—quiet voices that can easily be missed. In my community and beyond, I try to see the world through this lens, inviting others to view it more tenderly, and reverently.