George Megaritis, Iconographer


George is an icon painter from Athens, Greece

12 Responses to “George Megaritis, Iconographer”

  1. Barbara Lindstrom says:

    Alex,

    Interesting. complex. icon not idol. hand is symbol. So much of theater really in it, as if the icon is the narrative. I didn’t get why it was difficult because of “doing it for money.” Was it just the usual getting tired of the repetition or was he sad to be involved in the sacred with money involved? Not sure.

    Thanks again. comforting to see a person so devotional in his work.

    Barbara

  2. Alexandra Dickerman says:

    I think his work is difficult for him because in the Greek Church icons are considered to be holy; people kiss them and pray to them (but “not as idols”). Or maybe they pray with them. For him it’s just his art, and that contradiction or paradox worries him.

    Our next video is about an entirely different person’s feeling about this work.

  3. Anna Price says:

    really interesting–did not know so much of this–liked his expression of the 2 faces of Christ–glad you explained to Barb as I had the same question–he really is keeping an ancient art alive!

  4. Alexandra Dickerman says:

    We really were fascinated by the whole history, the craft, the art, and the place of icons in the Eastern church. They are considered to be windows, or channels to the divine – especially opening, or connecting the prayerful to the realms of the saints or the figures depicted on the icon. (I have a couple of them on my wall!)

  5. Bob Kuchem says:

    Excellent. One of your very best! Thanks.

  6. Alexandra Dickerman says:

    Thanks, Bob. George is an interesting, complex man and a very talented artist. Stay tuned for our next iconographer, who has a very different perspective.

  7. Jane Allewelt says:

    George is a very good icon painter, and is keeping to all the traditional styles and colors, in keeping to the Greek Icons. GODS SPIRIT IS IN ALL THINGS BECAUSE HE IS THE CREATOR, THERE ARE TRADITIONS THAT ARE IN OUR LIFES WE FALLOW ONLY BECAUSE THEY EXIST, BECAUSE THEY WORK WELL.

  8. Jane Allewelt says:

    The problem George is having his keeping to the traditional style and colors, is because GOD IS PART OF EVERYTHING IN CREATION, HIS SPIRIT IS IN ALL THINGS. KEEPING TO THE ‘OLD WAY’, BEING DOGMATIC IS REALLY PART OF HUMAN NATURE, WE LIKE TO TRY NEW IDEAS AND WAYS, BUT WE PREFERE TO KEEP SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL. HIS PAINTINGS ARE VERY GOOD,

  9. Alexandra Dickerman says:

    Thanks for your comments, Jane. It’s pretty amazing to think how long icons have been around. I think it’s a beautiful tradition, especially considering their long history and their important role in the church, not to mention how lovely they are simply as works of art.

  10. liz says:

    Interesting philosophy: darkness to light…that is the way. You do not have to believe in God. Thank you.

  11. Tyrell says:

    Even though he was struggling with the language, he was amazingly articulate about some very complex ideas.
    Gorgeous work.

  12. Alexandra Dickerman says:

    He was so interesting as an artist who paints icons, rather than an iconographer who sees himself as “an instrument” as some of the others did. Is the end result the same?

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