Windows on eternity.(Icons + Art)(Book review)

Icons + Art, by Michael Galovic; Honeysett Press, 2006, $80.

THIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK introduces the extraordinary work of Serbian-Australian artist Michael Galovic, one of this country's foremost painters of icons in the Orthodox tradition, whose work graces more than forty churches, cathedrals and monasteries in Australia and New Zealand (Orthodox and non-Orthodox). Galovic is also a gifted creator of other religious and non-religious artworks.

Lavishly illustrated with magnificent full-colour, full-page plates, the book showcases all three aspects of Galovic's artistic practices, with a strong focus on the icons, for which he is most famous. Thankfully, the text, which is interesting and perceptive, but not too long, and not preciously analytical, fulfils just the informative and illuminating function it should, whilst allowing the works of art to speak for themselves.

Born in Belgrade in 1949, Michael Galovic was brought up in a household where art was not only loved and respected, but also practised: his mother was an art historian and arts organiser, his stepfather a portrait painter and art restorer. The young Michael helped his stepfather to restore many beautiful paintings and frescoes, using traditional materials and methods. He then enrolled in the Belgrade Academy of Applied Arts, as well as working part-time in the National Museum. During that time, he studied and wrote a good deal about icons, which are at the centre of Orthodox religious tradition and spirituality.

Much later, after a crisis of artistic confidence and many years spent living and working around the world, working in different fields, Michael Galovic came back to icons--not only writing about them, as he'd done for a long time, but also making them. His arrival in Australia in 1990 began the spiritual and emotional process that was to see him rebuild his artistic practice, in icon-painting and other artwork. As he put it, it took years and years, and many formative experiences, for him to be able to do this.

It is important to note that, in Orthodox understanding, icons are not seen as just "sacred art" or religious painting. They are not seen as "mere" representations of Jesus Christ, or the Virgin Mary, or God the Father or Holy Spirit, or the angels, apostles and saints. And they are not "mere" illustrations or retellings of sacred stories, such as the baptism of Christ, the Last Supper, or the Resurrection. They transcend such terms to become, in effect, a direct link to the sacred. They are not only a language of description of the Godhead, they are not mere repository for symbol; they are, as the Rev. Stephen ...