WHAT IS A MODERN ICON?

WHAT IS A MODERN ICON?

The Modern Icon is a non religious painting that derives its themes, compositions and style from traditional Byzantine iconography. The colour palette is brighter than traditional icons and has spiritual and at times autobiographical dimensions and is used to express a wide variety of emotions, concepts and themes.

The style is a culmination of my artistic influences and cultural background.  I studied iconography and worked in the field whilst also developing my skill and passion for painting and contemporary art at the Athens School of Fine Art.

I created my first modern icon in 2001 after returning from Greece out of a need to express gratitude and to honour my family stories, culture and memories. I wanted to celebrate everyday people who made a difference in my life by elevating them to modern saints and angels. 

The detail and symbolism inherent in the mystical art of my cultural heritage matched the themes and sentiment. My love of modern art movements and my Australian upbringing meant that I was drawn to use vibrant colours and was naturally tempted to play with the canons of the tradition.

The themes have evolved as has my appreciation for the intelligence and power within the painted image and the art object. In October of 2023 I will be having a solo exhibition in Melbourne, titled MODERN ICONS: Angel cooks and Brunswick Barbers.  The exhibition will be of 10 paintings and 1 sculpture presenting my exploration of portraits inspired by recent trips to Greece and Southern Italy and themes of love and courage. Modern icons express the mythical and magical dimensions of everyday life and their essential place in our relationship to self and others and the word around us. The icons are an ongoing series in my arts practice and can be viewed in more detail in my dedicated website to the style www.moderniconart.com