ACU gets a closer look at Russian iconography

Russian iconographer Philip Davydov facilitated a 10-day course in religious icon-writing at Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Melbourne Campus recently.

Iconography is a traditional and spiritual art form that involves composition, drawing and painting techniques.

The workshop was dedicated to the ‘Old Masters’ method of creating a work of art. This takes into account the artistic methods used by medieval iconographers as well as the Classical and Renaissance goals and principles developed by the Great Masters.

“The course was for those who felt drawn to the Byzantine and early Russian way of icon-writing,” said Course Co-ordinator, Sister Margaret Broadbent RSM.

Mr Davydov is a professional iconographer with 15 years of experience. He is a lecturer at the Institute of Theology and Church Arts and head of the Sacred Murals icon painting and fresco workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The workshop incorporated short, theoretical talks on the history of iconography, theology and artist’s technical concerns. Students learnt methods of applying egg tempera and colours by creating shadows and highlights, and were then shown glazing, water-gilding and varnishing of the completed icon.

Shirley Innes, a current Visual Art and Design (Honours) student.

Shirley Innes, a Visual Art and Design (Honours) student at ACU, said the techniques of iconography would be beneficial to her work as an artist.

“It has really opened up artistic possibilities in terms of technique and medium for future projects, and it’s great to be aware of alternative ways of painting,” she said. “It’s also a really spiritual exercise. You need to think about the purpose of a religious icon, in terms of people using it in prayer.”

Mr Davydov said that the techniques must be both meditative and focussed.

“Every step must be deliberate and carefully constructed; each stroke has purpose and is creatively responsible,” he said.