COVID-19 restrictions resulted in an almost unbearable time of forced isolation for many Australians this year, but for others, such as renowned Iconographer Michael Galovic, the enforced tranquillity has enabled them to pursue their art, free from the many distractions that can drown out the quiet inner voice of inspiration.
“Due to my ‘compulsive’ urge to make art, and in particular focusing on not only doing my best but endeavouring to surpass even that and manage to surprise myself, all done in my semi-hermitic existence, 2020 was not a problematic year for me,” Mr Galovic told The Record.
“It was one of the most successful years, regarding the level of produced works and even the scope of the output itself.”
Mr Galovic is the writer behind the Icon entitled “Eleousa” as published by the Archdiocesan Commuications Office for Christmas this year.
Mr Galovic is one of the few original “writers” of icons in Australia, known for creating works of sacred art that are spiritually edifying, and the combination of working out of his bespoke garden studio – on a liturgical art form that requires grace and a sense of the divine in order to render a true icon, has kept his faith and focus firmly fixed on God.
He is both a traditional iconographer and also maker of contemporary religious art, which is extremely rare anywhere in the world.
Mr Galovic says that for him, the act of creating an Icon is an exploration of grace that brings him joy, an emotion that he is ultimately able to share and encourage in others simply by sharing his works.
“Some of the works I made in 2020 have brought much joy to me and seemingly to many others as well: there has been an unfailingly positive array of wonderful comments and that is an indispensable part of any artist’s journey, as indifference to what we do is the toughest adversary one can get,” he added.
“There were articles and essays written on my work during this year, and I would single out those by Kerrie Magee on my Paradise series and one on Dodkeaorton: Christ with Twelve Feasts, and one by Dr Guy Freeland focusing on my Gauguinesque painting from the Paradise series.”
Ms Magee describes the Dodekaorton as ‘the culmination of 50 years of deepening experience and praxis… which speak to the responsive spirit of the eternal quest for grace.’
“This goes to the very essence of icons – they are not something to be regarded as decorative adjuncts to religion but to be valued as expressions of the numinous; the uncreated light,” she writes.
The Dodekaorton was the result of commission to paint an icon portraying Christ Pantocrator (Ruler over-all), surrounded by 12 smaller icons depicting scenes from the Gospels, culminating in a final image of the Trinity. It contains different scenes from Christ’s life, beginning with The Annunciation and culminating in an icon of the Trinity.
The central image is based on the Mount Sinai image of Christ Pantocrator, arguably the best-known image of Christ in the world, and in its entirety, the work encapsulates the core concepts of Christianity.
“The icon of Christ with Twelve Feasts/Scenes from His Life has been a feature in the high Middle Ages in iconography, especially in Russia. These days it is extremely scarce and rarely found anywhere in the world, for various reasons and it seems that the one I had done, 100x70cm commissioned by a private collector is the first of the sort in Australia,” Mr Galovic explained.
“The response to this work still echoes mightily in my head and heart as the responses were overwhelming. It was like a most wonderful plethora of laudatory attributes one can hope for one’s work,” he said.
Mr Galovic has also just completed an icon of Mary, the Theotokos Enthroned with Child.
Following up on his most significant and mature icons of the Holy Trinity and Dodekaorton, Michael intends to create two other icons, after his solo show in Canberra, scheduled for March 2021
“One will be an entirely different take on the Holy Trinity, while the other will be a Dodekaorton with Mary and Twelve Scenes from her life, with a central image of Mother and Child,” Mr Galovic said.