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The Santiago Chile Temple is one of a series of detailed pencil drawings and paintings created by artist Chad S. Hawkins. In 1989, at the age of seventeen, Chad started this unique temple series, becoming the original LDS artist to involve hidden spiritual images in his artwork. Before drawing each temple Chad visits the temple site to research it’s history, construction, and beautiful surroundings. He then returns to his studio to draw the temple by referring to his notes, sketches, and photographs.
Situated in Santiago's Providencia district, the site of the Santiago Chile Temple is known locally as "Temple Square." Sharing the block are a meetinghouse, area offices, distribution center, mission headquarters, and a missionary training center, which doubles as patron housing. Beautiful mature trees line the front of the temple while enchanting gardens fill the grounds behind the temple—accented by a focal point water fountain. The Santiago Chile Temple was the second temple built in South America, following the São Paulo Brazil Temple (1978), and the first built in Chile.
In the temple, members are taught more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the purpose of life. To remind one of the importance of Christ’s atonement in temple work, the artist has subtly rendered the Savior’s image in the tall tree in a motion of welcoming all to His holy temple.
