Richness and Diversity: An Exhibition of Contemporary Balkan Icons

Lord's Supper, tempera on glass, by Sorin and Maria Mirea, Romania, 2002

22/03/06

All Hallows by the Tower
20 March - 19 May, 2006
10am-6pm, Monday-Friday
10am-5pm, Saturday, Sunday

A unique opportunity to see a selection of contemporary icons from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia & Montenegro, never previously shown in Britain.

They are the work of both men and women iconographers, mostly urban lay people, or members of monastic communities and many have degrees in fine art. In general, the works shown belong to three broad strands: Traditional/Byzantine, Naïve and Modern. While some of the artists are interested in reviving and interpreting the historical traditions of Byzantine or primitive/naive iconography, others reflect more recent painterly influences, experimenting with visual languages new to the tradition.

The exhibition curator Lazar Predrag Markovic began work on this project in June 2003. Since then it has travelled to a number of museums, art galleries and churches in Norway and Finland.

The exhibition will be open daily at the historic City church of All Hallows by the Tower, from March 20th to May 19th, 2006. The curator will be available to lead guided tours of the works and there will be several illustrated lectures and events.

The exhibition is free. Icons and a catalogue will be available for sale.

A Symposium at All Hallows by the Tower
Image and Belief: how does the revival of icon painting influence contemporary religious art?
Saturday May 6th 2006
from 10.00am - 4.30pm
Cost £15, lunch included

An opportunity for all those interested in icons, religious and contemporary art to meet and discuss the rise of interest in traditional iconography and its relevance to Christian communities of
faith and to those who produce religious art today.

Speakers include: The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and The Very Revd Stamatis Skliris, Protopresbyter, Orthodox theologian and iconographer from Athens.

For further information and booking
Alison Boyce
The Old Deanery, Dean’s Court,
London EC4A 5AA
020 7236 7891

See website for further details
www.balkan-icons.com

All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, London EC3R 5BJ. Tel: 020 7481 2298. www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk