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Curator's Statement

Icons are motivated by prayer and prayer deepened by icons so their interdependence is the focus of this exhibit. The artists' statements tell their story of prayer and icons, please respond with your experience praying through icons using the response link.

I am constantly humbled at the impact of the images of iconography. This visual heritage out of the ancient church continues to stir eyes and hearts. The symbolic representation of the Story of Salvation is always immediate in significance and eternal in meaning. The practice of icon making is upheld by the theological dogma that God created us in His image and saw fit to redeem the fallen world by taking on material nature in the Incarnation. Icons echo that mystery and seek to make a visible connection with the invisible heavenly realm; after which we in turn seek to recognize God's image and likeness in this created world.

Most artwork is primarily an expression of the artist's intent. Not so in iconography where the artist offers the best of his/her ability in ultimate respect for the Holy Subjects and Word revealed to make an image. The work in this exhibit represents many media like the historic iconography using fiber, wood, paper, ivory. Continuing this heritage these icons turn our attention from their material presence and aim to honor the subject and connect the viewer through beauty and prayer with Divine Light.

Blessed is our Lord, full of Grace and Truth.

Susan vonMedicus
Iconographer