Launching Women's Iconography in the Twenty-First Century: A Digital Archive
Monday 10 March 2025, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Venue
Digital Studio, Library Exhibition and EventsOpen to
All Lancaster University (non-partner) students, Alumni, Applicants, External Organisations, Families and young people, Postgraduates, Prospective International Students, Prospective Postgraduate Students, Prospective Undergraduate Students, Public, Staff, UndergraduatesRegistration
Free to attend - registration requiredRegistration Info
Register for free on LibCal (see link above)
Event Details
The Digital Collections Team of Lancaster University Library are launching the first ever archive of women's iconography!
You are cordially invited to the launch of Women’s Iconography in the 21st Century (insert link to archive) —a new archive for Lancaster University’s Digital Collections Platform. This archive is part of the AHRC-funded Impact Acceleration Project, Contemporary Women Icons, led by Dr Azelina Flint (Associate Researcher) and Dr Brian Baker (Senior Lecturer), of ELCW.
This project raises awareness of women’s understudied accomplishments in Orthodox iconography: a practice of Christian sacred art that was historically male dominated. Known as ‘windows to eternity’, icons allow viewers to meet holy figures who gaze out at them from an invisible world. As the first documentary project of women’s iconography, Contemporary Women Icons explores how women from a range of denominational, cultural and ethnic backgrounds make a space for themselves in this ancient tradition.
Our archive is the first of its kind and digitally preserves the work of women from across the world, including Armenia, Brazil, Canada, Latvia, Lebanon, Greece, Finland, Mexico, Russia, the USA and the Ukraine, as well as the UK. It features both traditional iconography and iconography-inspired sacred art that modernises the tradition through using present-day techniques and depicting figures outside the traditional canon of sainthood.
The launch will include talks from a range of artists on the platform and lectures from the project’s Co-Is. Registration is free with refreshments, snacks and possible musical entertainment included!
Speakers
Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild, Canada
Ana Maria Pacheco Silva is a Brazilian-born Canadian sacred artist specialising in iconography, ceramics, vestments and all forms of religious crafts. She commenced her artistic journey in 1970 with the completion of the Publicity Sketching Course at the University of São Paulo. Driven by a passion for fostering creativity, she later founded the "Children's Art Studio" with the purpose of nurturing the artistic talents of children and young individuals. In 1974, Ana Maria graduated with a Bachel
Haybusak and Mesrop Mashtots Universities, Yereva
Dr Lilit Hrant Amirjanyan is an Armenian artist with specialisms across the Fine and Decorative Arts, including iconography, miniature painting, oil painting, portraiture and traditional manuscript illumination. Currently, she works as an instructor of Fine, and Decorative Arts at Haybusak and Mesrop Mashtots Universities, Yerevan. She received her primary training in Fine art and art education, at Armenia’s State Pedagogical Institute and went on to complete her PhD on the topic Methodology of
Georget Photos
Georget Photos is the sister of the late Shirley Stella Kontos - America's first titled Orthodox iconographer who broke the glass ceiling for female artists in the Orthodox church. Georget is the author of 'Windows To Heaven: The Spiritual Journey of America's First Female Iconographer' - the definitive work on Kontos. She will speak on her sister's life and legacy.
Khrystyna Kvyk is an emerging Ukrainian artist, born on November 17, 1994, in the Drohobych region. Currently, she resides and works in Lviv. Her artistic education began at the Sambir Pedagogical College, where she specialized in Fine Art. Having obtained a diploma as a teacher of fine art she continued her education at the Ukrainian Academy of Printing, studying graphic design at the extramural form of education. Seeking to deepen her artistic knowledge and expand her creative horizons, Khryst
Layal Chacra is a traditional iconographer, specialising in the Greek tradition, from Beirut.
Maria Doumani
Maria Doumani was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied iconography at the Panselinos Academy under the guidance of professors Yiannis Sidiropoulos and Giorgos Sidiropoulos, where she was trained in Iconography Drawing, the Macedonian and Cretan styles, fresco painting, and "gilding": the technique of polished gold. Maria lives and works in Halkidiki. She has participated in group exhibitions and has held her first solo exhibition of abstract art in 2023.
Sharon Seager
Sharon Seager typed ‘painting for god’ into her search engine eleven years ago, beginning a journey that has led to a life dedicated to painting icons and teaching others this practice. Her previous studies, work as a scenic artist in the theatre, and meditation practice, as well as the Jewish tradition of her birth all combine to inform her current practice. Sharon's chosen specialism is painting in the contemporary expression of the Russian Byzantine style. Sharon continues to be mentored in b
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB, is a sister of Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, Indiana, where she entered in 2003, made first profession in 2006, and perpetual profession in 2010. She is Dean of School of Theology Programs and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Spirituality at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Her research and teaching interests include Church art, especially iconography, and monastic studies. She also serves as a cantor, and assists with Saint Meinrad's chant offerin
Gallery
Mother of God "Znameniye" (of St. Tadeos Church) by Dr Lilit Amirjanyan
The Existential Struggle by Khrystyna Kvyk
Contact Details
| Name | Dr Azelina Flint |
| Website |
https://lancaster-uk.libcal.com/event/4344847?k=802d318876efb744586b935202f299a5 |