Holy fire

Six artists who specialise in the traditional Christian artform of iconography, will present their work in an exhibition opening today.
The artists - Natalya Butreva, Georgina Stefanos, Panagiotis Giannarakis, George Mathiopoulos, Rodolfos Spathis and Manolis Mavrommatis - all met while they were studying the artform through teacher Takis Sorros. They use traditional techniques but allow themselves the creative expression when recreating these artworks.
One of the artists, Manolis Mavrommatis, told Neos Kosmos that's what makes the "exhibition interesting, that you will see six artists' different perceptions".
"Each one of us have our specific interpretations of Orthodox iconography. we are keep the traditional colouring and lining and Byzantine iconography but everyone puts in their expression of individuality."
Mr Mavrommatis - who took up this artform out of curiosity initially - says the group meet up every Thursday to workshop and create their pieces, even though as artists they work individually. He says he likes this artform because it's a creative way to work with wood and "iconography is one of the most representative art of Orthodoxy".
The technique engraved pyrography started in Peru in 400BC by the Incas. The same technique was used by the ancient Egyptians, and around this time the Corinthian monks copied the technique.
St John's College will be in attendance on Saturday - with principal Harry Ladopoulos and Father Leonidas who is the iconographer for the classes currently run at the college. The artists will present the school with an icon of St John as a token of their cooperation with the school as they will begin workshops for the students in September.
Holy Fire will be launched today at 11:00 am Kingston Arts Centre, 979-985 Nepean Highway, Moorabin. Entrance is free and the gallery hours are 9-5 daily.