WEST VALLEY CITY — Arnold Friberg, 92, was the artistic genius behind the scene and mood of the 1956 motion picture "The Ten Commandments." As the 50th anniversary of the film approaches, the Utah Cultural Celebration Center staff has given the public the opportunity to see the film come to life from the canvas.
Friberg walked members of the media through his exhibit Thursday, explaining each painting in careful detail. Along with paintings from the movie, there are portraits of the stars, the robe of Moses and the 10 Commandments written on the tablets. He also unveiled a new painting called "The Light of Christ."
For Friberg this wasn't about hanging pictures on a wall, it was about making them come to life for those who view them. "We've tried to create a biblical mood that tells a coordinated cohesive story," he said.
Susan Klinker, program director at the cultural center, said this is the highest quality of fine arts paintings to be on display at the cultural center. "We've been able to reach new audiences and more doors have been opened," she said.
The cultural center has been open for 2 1/2 years and the gallery has been open for less than that. It is the only gallery in West Valley City.
"This is the greatest thing that happened to our state and a milestone for our city," said Ross Olsen, cultural center executive director.
For Olsen, working with Friberg has been an emotional experience.
"Friberg said to me yesterday that the paintings need to come alive," he said. "For 2 1/2 hours we rubbed oil on the paintings with our hands while he told me stories about each one."
Olsen said he hopes to someday house all of Friberg's work on the property of the cultural center. Friberg has 30,000 paintings and sketches in his collection.
Friberg worked on "The Ten Commandments" for three years in Hollywood. In addition to the paintings Friberg designed the stars' costumes.
Friberg's paintings have toured every continent. When the movie premiered in Salt Lake City in 1956 at the State Capitol, 50,000 people came to look at his work.
Friberg has been drawing since he was child, and he continues to create art.
"I've always been working," he said. "I don't know how people retire at 52. I've never had a paid vacation."
Friberg said painting is not fun like hobby art. It is more difficult than people realize, but in the end he has a sense of accomplishment.
"It's very hard work," he said. "My studio is soundproof not to keep sound from coming in, but to keep sound from going out when things go wrong."
He said he likes his paintings to look as if they've been around for hundreds of years. He described his newest piece of art, "The Light of Christ," as having the richness of an old tapestry.
The exhibit continues until May 26. Klinker said any group with an educational mission is welcome to come with a reservation.
If you go
Where: Utah Cultural Center, 1355 W. 3100 South
Phone: 965-5100
E-mail: tdemasters@desnews.com