Written by: Miona Kovačević / Photo: Nikola Đogić
As part of the Light of the Logos exhibition, a major international masterclass was held on September 2nd and 3rd at the Music Gallery of the Kolarac Foundation in Belgrade. Over two days, six artists and professors from Serbia, Greece, and Romania created works simultaneously before an audience, presenting three traditional techniques of contemporary sacred art.
Prof. Dr. Georgios Kordis from Greece, along with professors of the University "Despot Stefan Lazarević", Dr. Todor Mitrović and Dr. Jelena Hinić, led the masterclass in icon painting on wood panel. The traditional technique of fresco painting on fresh plaster was presented by MA doctoral candidate Luka Novaković, while Cristina and Andrei Răileanu from Romania demonstrated two different approaches to icon-making in stone: Cristina through painting, and Andrei through sculpting.
Prof. Dr George Kordis, Greece
Prof. Dr Jelena Hinić, Serbia
Prof. Dr Todor Mitrović, Serbia
Luka Novaković, MA, Serbia
Cristina Răileanu, Romania
Andrei Răileanu, Romania
Approximately 70 selected artists from Serbia and abroad, whose works are on display at the Kolarac Foundation Gallery, followed the creation of the artworks from the very first to the very last stroke.
The works created during the masterclass were subsequently added to the Light of the Logos exhibition, where they will remain on display until the closing of the exhibition on September 16th.
George Kordis presented the Old Testament scene "An Angel Feeds the Holy Prophet Elijah", Todor Mitrović painted "Emmanuel", and Jelena Hinić "The Unslumbering Eye".
An Angel Feeds the Holy Prophet Elijah, by George Kordis
Emmanuel by Todor Mitrović
The Unslumbering Eye by Jelena Hinić
Luka Novaković created two frescoes over two days: "Saint Peter" and "The Mandylion". Working on fresh plaster requires the entire prepared surface to be painted in a single day, before the plaster dries, which made the creation of each fresco a particular challenge and a race against time.
Saint Peter by Luka Novaković
The Mandylion by Luka Novaković
Andrei and Cristina Răileanu both chose representations of Christ for their works. Cristina painted him in egg tempera on a stone slab, while Andrei demonstrated remarkable sculptural mastery in the three-dimensional treatment of stone, which demands both great physical strength and exceptional precision.
Christ, by Cristina Răileanu
Christ, by Andrei Răileanu
A special value of this gathering was the opportunity for artists not only to directly observe the work of experienced masters, but also to exchange knowledge, experience, and advice among themselves. In conversations following the masterclass, participants highlighted the importance of such gatherings for stepping outside one's own artistic routine and becoming acquainted with different styles and techniques.
In addition to artists from Serbia, the masterclasses were attended by icon painters from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, the Netherlands, the United States, and Lebanon.
The instructors themselves came away equally moved. Prof. Dr. Georgios Kordis noted that such gatherings are important even for established artists, whose work is often tied to solitary studio practice and can be quite isolating. It is precisely for this reason that encounters with fellow artists, the exchange of creativity, and the joy of creating together give events such as this a special significance.
This two-day international gathering marks the first of eight planned masterclasses that the Cultural Centre Kaleidoscope will carry out as part of the two-year project "Light of the Logos: Digital Networking, Education and Inclusion for the Sustainable Development of Contemporary Sacred Art", supported by UNESCO's International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).
In addition to international gatherings and masterclasses, the project will connect artists, experts, and institutions through the development of a specialised digital platform. It will be dedicated to the further education of artists, as well as to bringing sacred art closer to the wider public.
The Light of the Logos exhibition and project of the Cultural Centre Kaleidoscope is supported by: UNESCO, the Ilija M. Kolarac Foundation, the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the companies ComputerLand and Iviron, the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade, the Embassy of Romania in Serbia, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Bucharest, Štampar Makarije, and Službeni Glasnik.
Further information about the exhibition, accompanying programmes, and the project is available on the official Light of the Logos page.
"Light of the Logos: Digital Networking, Education and Inclusion for the Sustainable Development of Contemporary Sacred Art" is a project supported by UNESCO under the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, in accordance with the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Follow our portal and social media for all information about the exhibition, masterclasses and platform development. Light of the Logos is just beginning!
Light of the Logos – Instagram
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