World-renowned iconographer Dr. George Kordis offered a unique, four-day icon-painting workshop at St. Vladimir's Seminary March 30–April 2, 2022.
Dr. Kordis is artist in residence at St. Vladimir's through its Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA).
During the workshop Kordis taught his own artistic approach through demonstrations and exercises in the art, expression, and language of the icon using the principles and rhythm of the Byzantine system as a foundation. He gave participants, which included members of the Seminary community, a rare opportunity to witness and discuss the creative process of several bodies of work he has been working on during his residency.
Dr. Kordis is also keeping busy with other events at St. Vladimir's, in addition to teaching and working on beautiful icons. Earlier in March, he participated in an academic roundtable discussion with other noted scholars on the theme of "Tradition and Innovation in the Art of the Orthodox Church." He is set to deliver a free public lecture, "Tradition as Creativity," on campus April 7.
ABOUT DR GEORGE KORDIS
Eminent iconographer George Kordis has the rare distinction for a practicing artist of a complete academic training in theology, with advanced theological degrees from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and the University of Athens, where he was assistant professor in iconography (theory and practice). His training as a painter preceded and motivated his move into theology: During the 1980s he worked with the Cypriot master iconographer, Fr. Symeon Symeou, and also studied painting at The School of Fine Arts at The Museum of Boston from 1987–89; and even while obtaining his doctorate (Athens) in 1991 he continued his studies in painting and engraving under Fotis Mastichiadis. Dr. Kordis has been a visiting professor teaching icon painting courses at Yale University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Bucharest/Department of Orthodox Theology, and Ukraine Pedagogical University, Odessa, while continuing to create major church programs of iconography—including several in the US (see Holy Trinity in Columbia, SC and, recently, Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh and panel icons, which have been seen in numerous prominent exhibitions at Yale University and elsewhere). Kordis is also a prolific author with wide-ranging interests: theory and practice of Orthodox iconography, Fayum mummy portraits, Theophan the Cretan, Andrei Rublev, Fotis Kontoglou, Greek folk art, and many other topics.
Read his full CV and explore his expansive work.
