Avery Dixon: The Hardest Part

Artist Statement

This piece deals with the way faith is viewed and felt as a person grows up in the church. The stories we are told as children differ greatly from some of the stories we are told as we age. The arm is symbolic of engagement with the faith and the high and low points, twists and turns represent the varied trajectory of a person’s faith life. The imagery follows the story arc we are told growing up, starting at the origin of the piece with classic childhood tales of Moses and David and Goliath, moving gradually towards one of the scariest parts of the Bible, the book of Revelation. The highest point of sgraffito design reads “OBEY” on the knuckles. This is the command that is taught throughout the entirety of one’s life in the faith and it is the command that makes a person worry about the state of their soul. This is the hardest part. If they are not obeying well enough or lack faith in the grace of God, “obey” quickly becomes a daunting command.

2024 VADS - People's Choice Voting

About the Project

• Title of Work: The Hardest Part
• Medium: Ceramic sculpture, 23" long, 18" wide, 19" tall, to be installed on pedestal
• Student's Name: Avery Dixon
• Major: Art
• Anticipated Graduation Date: 25-May
• Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
• Student's Mentor: Joseph Pintz
• Mentor's Department: Art