Visual Rhetoric

Visual Rhetoric is defined as, “a form of communication that uses images to create meaning or construct an argument.” Examples of visual rhetoric are predominately found in agriculture. One such example is found on the Dibble Family Farm, located in west Layton, Utah. Its barn serves a much greater purpose than that of storage; it shares a message with the community about patriotism, farming, faith, family, and the value of hard work.

This barn was originally built without the addition of its two murals (one of the front and rear of the barn). It boasted a bold and bright patriotic red with accents of white, much like other barns found across America. This barn was a reminder of the great freedoms that others fought for the generations of today and tomorrow. The addition of both painted murals only enhanced the deep patriotic reverence for the Dibble Farm.

The first mural, located on the front of the barn, is visible to neighbors and those driving down the road. At first glance it can take the breath of a passerby away, with its beautiful detail and color. Upon further examination, the painting only gets better.

Photo courtesy of  http://dibbleart.com

This painting depicts two people, a man, and a woman, in the field at sunset picking crops. It’s beautiful array of colors jumped out at me first, and reminded me of the beauty of fall. The painting’s colors remind me of the harvest season, when fields of green have turned gold. The fading sunset in the background, with its beautiful shades of orange, purple, and pink, allow others to connect with the land, even if there home is far away, because their colors of the sunset are similar. Through the artist’s shading we can see the rays of the golden sun across the face of the woman, allowing the painting another example of warmth.

Photo courtesy of  http://dibbleart.com

While many may wonder what the woman is gazing off into the distance at, I believe that she is looking forward to the bounteous blessings God has in store for her & her family on the farm. A feeling of peace rests across her face, showing that she is at peace, having full faith in God. It also shows a sense of gratitude for the past blessings of God by the artist’s use of crop rows that lead straight back into the sunset.

The man and the woman portray an essential part of farm life: hard work and the importance of family. The man is seen bending his knees, carrying a heavy load, while the woman holds a basket filled with picked produce. Each of these tasks alone might seem easy, but with the size of their fields it would be a mundane and laborious process. However, they work together to get the job done. As the man looks over his shoulder to the woman, I get a sense of cohesiveness. Together, dressed in soft shades of green and white, they complete each other, much like Adam and Eve in The Bible.

The rear mural is also filled with visual rhetoric. It is set during the day, when the sun has fully risen casting shadows from its noon time rays. To me this mural at first sight seemed rather simple compared to the other, but I think it is just as important and effective. 

Photo courtesy of  http://dibbleart.com

In the center of the painting rests three trees. These trees are steadfast, and anchor the heritage of the farm with the land. It demonstrates that although each season’s crop might vary, the trees are firm and unwavering. Their physical growth also symbolizes the growth of the farm and the family over the years. In this mural, the grain is much shorter than the other, symbolizing the changes throughout the weeks and months. The trees’ shadows and lighting also represent time on a smaller scale, such as the hours in the day. It shows that farming is an all-day ordeal, and that every time the sun rises it’s time for another day of hard work out in the fields.

Both murals are large in size, and are easily seen from the road. I know as I’ve been driving by, the barn and its murals have caught my attention, and I’ve had to remind myself to stay focused while driving down the road. I love that these murals attract attention amongst others passing by. It serves as a reminder to slow down, take a moment to escape the hustle and bustle of a tech driven world, and to stop and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the farm. I also love the shape of each mural; the half circle reminds me of the setting and rising sun across the horizon. It draws my eyes up to the sky, where the true sun resides, leaving me with gratitude for all the beautiful blessings that God has granted us.

The Dibble Farm’s barn is truly a sight to behold. It holds a special place in my heart, with its reminders of hard work while working in the fields, my gratitude for the freedoms we hold, the reminder to have faith in God and in his creations, and the unifying of families working together as whole on the farm. These murals offer each such reverence, as well as leaving them with a greater love and respect for agriculture.