Artists approach and express the sacred in many ways, and have done so for centuries. While some artists seek new methods in which to open door to the spiritual world, others look back to the ancient methods of their forebears.
Romanian artist Ileana Barbu is showing a small collection (at Brazos Fine Art in Taos, New Mexico) of Byzantine icon reproductions she has created in the tradition of orthodox iconography. The church requires the icons follow the rules and dogma of religious painting precisely, like the originals in European cathedrals. Every pose, figure and color has specific meaning and symbolism.
Barbu uses egg tempera on board to create reproductions of these icons, which were believed to embody spiritual, divine energy.
Ileana Barbu, who moved to the United States from Romania in 1992 and now lives in Colorado (Boulder), first turned to Byzantine iconography as a new artistic challenge, which later became a way for her to remain connected with her homeland’s culture. “I left my country under very traumatic circumstances”, said Ileana, who received political asylum in the United States. And although she strongly objected to her home country’s government, there was still much about Romania she misses terribly. Turning to an ancient form of art such as Byzantine iconography is a way for her to connect to traditions left behind.
She uses the same traditional techniques as did the original artists hundreds of years ago, mixing her own pigments with egg yolk as a binder. She applies layer after layer of paint, enhancing the depth and vibrancy of the colors, which she keeps as pure as possible.
Rather than be preoccupied with realism, the icons are meant to reflect the spiritual world. “Icons are viewed as windows towards Heaven, towards spiritual life,” Ileana said.
(Eric J. HEDLUND)
If you are interested in purchasing Ileana’s wonderful art, please call (505)-758.0767
Ileana Barbu studied classical fine arts at an early age in her homeland of Romania. She came to the United States in 1992 and has taught art at the university level as well as at the art school level. Her European training, that follows the Renaissance tradition, enabled her to draw, paint, and sculpt with equal confidence. Her love of Ancient Art as well as her admiration for the Renaissance Masters drives her to reproduce time honored images that have graced the world for thousands of years.
