St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, an urban parish in downtown Chattanooga, will host Icons in Transformation, a 180-piece traveling art exhibit featuring the contemporary icons of abstract expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska. After touring cathedrals and churches throughout Europe and the U.S, the exhibit will be displayed for two months at St. Paul’s Church.
Review for Icons in Transformation:
Featuring paintings and sculptures created over the past decade, Icons in Transformation explores the interaction between traditional icons painted at Vassilevsky Monastery (Russia), and Ms. Pawlowska’s own artwork that explores what it means to be known, seen and loved by God. Rather than stimulating the senses and emotions, icons are meant to exert a calming influence, allowing the viewer to step free of everyday concerns.
Ms. Pawlowska, a Russian native who now lives in Sweden, is an internationally acclaimed artist in her field. Her work has earned rave reviews, and has been described as “highly original, in-your-face abstract art with a deeply spiritual feel.” Her modern three-dimensional artwork incorporates traditional icon elements such as the use of eyes, metallic paints, and the colors red, blue and gold – while at the same time “bending the rules” through the use of sculpture, collage, large-scale wood panels, natural stone, fabric, and even handwriting in multiple languages.
Icons in Transformation presents the mystery and spiritual power of the icon transformed into modern masterpieces of art. It also highlights traditional Russian icons as a source of inspiration for contemporary art. Pawlowska’s artwork will be dramatically displayed throughout St. Paul’s Church – including in the narthex, corridors, and even suspended from the arches of the nave.
Exhibit hours are Sept. 10–Nov. 9
Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Special times by appointment. Call 602-5663
Group Tours (by appointment only):
Tuesday–Friday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
There will many events and activities associated with this two-month exhibition – including a grand opening reception, docent-guided tours, guest speakers, icon-inspired art classes for children and youth, music events, and special evenings for quiet contemplation. Additional works will be shown at Second Presbyterian Church, located across Pine Street.