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Pantocrator: Ruler of All Wood - Egg tempera- gold leaf |
Artist Statement: In Christian iconography, Christ Pantocrator (from the Greek, All-Powerful or Ruler of All) is a specific depiction of Christ. This particular style of Pantocrator icon is Russian and dates from around the 15th century. Geometric forms symbolize layers of spiritual powers, but both heavenly and earthly beings pale compared to Christ Himself, who is seated on a throne and holds a book with the inscription “Come to Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Bio: For me, art doesn’t have to be a reproduction of something that can be photographed, but is more of a quest for the truth behind the object. I began looking for ways to express mystery -- not the ‘Agatha Christie’ kind, but the ineffable kind. I tried to find a visual language that would allow me to communicate that mystery. Eventually I turned to well known symbols that are widely understood in the Christian Church in an attempt to avoid creating completely subjective art. Just as we use words that are well understood to tell a story, there is value in using and reinterpreting ancient pictorial symbols to communicate universal truth. Rather than limiting the artist, it fosters a living tradition that unfolds for each new generation, bridging past and future. |
