UNW Installs "PRAY" sculpture
NEWS - UNVEILING of "PRAY" sculpture, at last!
University NorthWestern, St. Paul Minnesota unveils Caroline Bolding original bronze of Billy Graham.
https://unwsp.edu/news/northwestern-unveils-billy-graham-sculpture/
Understanding the message of the sculpture:
Billy Graham's Purpose by Example
His life's work was built on the Rock (base).
His life's purpose rose out of the Word (open bible).
His message was and is to repent so "That whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (engraved scripture Acts 2:21)
The vine, behind his left shoulder, testifies that Jesus is the "true vine".
The "True Vine" - bronze sculpture for desk, mantle, office, as it appears on the "Pray" sculpture of Billy Graham at UNW.
Pre-finish, original raw "True Vine" seen here as mounted on "Pray" sculpture.
About "The True Vine" - for desk or mantle
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Commemorative Aspect of University Sculpture. Beautiful golden bronze True Vine for desk or mantle. Perfect Believer's gift.
You may own this replica portion of "Pray", in the larger university sculpture below. -
<-- seen left, it is 3-dimensional and rests on any surface.
Makes a unique Christian gift.
Individually cast: 10" x 4.5" x 3"
Solid poured bronze 2.5 lb.
Numbered and prepared by the artist into edition
Depicting The True Vine (Greek: ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή hē ampelos hē alēthinē) is an allegory or parable given by Jesus in the New Testament. Found in John 15:1–8, it describes Jesus' disciples as branches of himself, who is described as the "true vine", and God the Father the "husbandman".
The Steinbeck Vineyard graciously donated the Spring cutting of their 'Divine Vine' as the model.
"Pray"
Installed and unveiled at University NorthWestern, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Inspiration comes...
God once stopped me in my tracks and said,
"Sculpt!"
"Sculpt what?" I asked.
"Sculpt what you love"
Immediately images of people connecting with Him filled my heart. People reaching out to the Lord, in gratitude, in prayer, in thanksgiving, in God moments.
Suddenly I had my first commission.
Clay - detail close-up on pre-bronze "Pray" sculpture.
"Pray" now stands inside the Billy Graham Life Commons building.
It is an ongoing evangelistic invitation and reminder to seek, find and know God through prayer.
DUE TO MINNESOTA SHUTDOWNS, sadly the University was forced to postpone the unveiling of this sculpture by a full year. It was unveiled this Fall, 2021.
An exciting tim
Clay comes first.
Close up -- sculpting "Pray" -- fine tooling details in clay.
Sculpting process;
"I am careful to "put on the whole armor of God" any time I am sculpting... to guard against distractions and other influences, it's so important to keep the process pure."
"Pray" bronze is done!
UNVEILED FINALLY October 1, 2021!
Can you spot the secret 'homage' to our dear Billy Graham? Send your guess to the artist.