Every summer, Australian Catholic University’s art gallery in Melbourne hosts religious iconographer Philip Davydov, who leads a group of students and artists in practicing the ancient craft. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The Russian-born master iconographer has visited Melbourne for 15 years, inspiring hundreds and keeping alive an artistic expression at the intersection of faith and history.
“My father taught me iconography as a practical profession,” Mr Davydov said.
“‘And I graduated from a fine art academy as an art historian and art critic, which helped my understanding that iconography is one of the branches of world cultural heritage. It’s special, it’s beautiful, but it is just one of them.”
His professional life has been marked by significant changes. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Mr Davydov and his wife and fellow artist Olga Shalamova decided to leave Russia. The couple now live in Georgia, a country with its own rich traditions around Christian iconography.
The painting workshop is a vital part of ACU’s mission to integrate faith and the arts. ACU Art Gallery director Catherine Bell described it as a “jewel in the crown” of their offerings.
“It is such a way of bringing so many people to the campus,” she said.
The connection between the university and Mr Davydov was facilitated by the Mercy Sisters, some of whom had taken his online courses.
His workshop on ACU’s St Patrick’s campus continues to have a strong Catholic involvement, Professor Bell said.
“The demographic is really eclectic, because we have art teachers, we have theologians, we have members of the clergy, younger generations and older people,” Professor Bell said.
“We try to make it as inclusive as possible with different disciplines in the creative arts, but also theology.”
It gives students a unique experience and an opportunity to learn about a tradition “ingrained into the history of the Catholic Church”, Professor Bell said.
“It’s about how this gallery lives the mission of the university, which is about understanding the Catholic intellectual tradition of teaching spirituality and devotion through the arts. That’s what we forefront here in our course.”
Banner image: Students undertaking an iconography workshop at ACU Art Gallery.
All photos by Joshua Hook, ACU Art Gallery.
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International iconographer guides ACU students in ancient art form (Melbourne Catholic)
