Sculptures of Hope

Trina Paulus — Sculptor, Author, Visionary

In addition to her celebrated role as author and illustrator of Hope for the Flowers, Trina Paulus has long worked as a sculptor whose faith-infused art invites us to dwell on stories of courage, trust, and transformation. One of her most striking works is a life-size sculpture of the story of Abraham and Isaac, displayed at the iconic Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

The story of Abraham and Isaac: A timeless call for trust

The account of Abraham and Isaac, found in the sacred scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike, speaks to a moment of radical trust in God, yet also wrestles deeply with human anguish, obedience, and the sanctity of life. In the biblical telling, God calls Abraham to offer his son Isaac—but at the last moment provides an alternative, thereby preserving life and deepening Abraham’s faith.
This moment resonates across traditions:

• In Judaism as a test of covenantal faith and the promise to Abraham’s descendants.
• In Christianity as a foreshadowing of sacrificial love (often viewed in light of Christ’s self-giving).
• In Islam as the prophet Ibrahim’s ultimate submission to God’s will and mercy (with some difference in whether the son is Ishmael or Isaac).

And today, amid tensions in the Middle East and beyond, the story emerges as a symbol of the cost of faith, the possibility of mercy, and the invitation to transcend-violence through trust and surrender.

Trina’s sculpture: Art that dialogues with our time

At the Cathedral in New York, Trina’s sculpture brings this ancient narrative into our present moment—not as an abstraction, but as a full-scale encounter. Viewers of her piece described being “stopped in our tracks” by the presence and power of the work. By placing Abraham and Isaac physically in space, Trina invites us to witness the tension of the moment: father and son, the knife raised, the angel intervening, life preserved. It asks: When are we called to let go of what we love? When do we find ourselves standing at that threshold of trust, of surrender, of hope in the face of what seems impossible? Given the backdrop of religious and geopolitical unrest in the Middle East—where Abrahamic traditions intersect and sometimes collide—the sculpture feels especially timely. It offers a visual meditation on the possibility that trust, mercy, and life may carry us beyond cycles of fear and violence.

From the hands of the author of Hope for the Flowers

It’s notable that Trina Paulus, whose book Hope for the Flowers has inspired countless readers to embrace transformation and hope, brings the same themes into her sculptural work. The message is consistent: life invites us to risk (like the caterpillars in the book), to climb, to encounter pain, but ultimately to fly. And in the story of Abraham and Isaac, to trust even when called to surrender what is dearest.

You can visit our store: The Holy Family

In addition to the Abraham-Isaac piece, Trina also offers a sculpture of The Holy Family—a tender, grounded representation of Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus—available for purchase via her store. (See: thehopestore.com)

This sculpture connects beautifully with the Abraham and Isaac theme: the theme of family, of promise, of life given and protected. It offers a counter-image to sacrifice in the form of gentle presence, love, and rootedness. The availability of the Holy Family sculpture offers both collectors and spiritual seekers a chance to bring Trina’s art into their homes—not just as décor but as an invitation: “Let life unfold. Trust the journey. Let hope rise.”
~The Hope Team