Coptic Iconography at Sacred Space Gallery

Photo Credit: Stephane Rene

06/03/08

An exhibition of the work of Stephane Rene, the foremost exponent of the Neo-Coptic style in the West.

Coptic Iconography flourished between the 4th-7th centuries. Christianity owes much to the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Church: St Anthony, father of monasticism and the Desert Fathers; St Anthanasius, formulator of the Nicene Creed still used by Christians today, Gnosticism and the Nag Hamadi library.

The Neo-Coptic School was founded in the 1960s by the late Prof. Isaac Fanous as part of a renaissance of Faith & Culture in modern Egypt. This unique art form incorporates elements of Pharaonic Egypt as well as modern art theory, contemporary yet very traditional.

Dr Stephane Rene is a disciple of Fanous. His work adorns many Coptic, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in Europe and America and is collected internationally. Some of his work can be seen in situ alongside his master’s at the Coptic Orthodox Church, London, where Stephanos is a deacon. Dr Rene lectures, exhibits and teaches this style internationally.

Sacred Space is situated in St John’s, Notting Hill. Established in December 2006, the space is dedicated to the sacred and traditional arts from diverse world cultures.

Out of Egypt: Contemporary Coptic Iconography can be viewed by appointment only from 10 April - 18 May 2008. All pieces are for sale.