Ludmila Pawlowska: Icons in Transformation

“Yesterday I saw a collection of old Russian icons,” wrote French painter Henri Matisse in 1911. “The artist’s soul emerges in these icons like a mystical flower. It is through them that we should learn to understand art.” Orthodox Christian iconography is an ancient painting style that draws its power from repetition, history and tradition. But ancient Russian icons have inspired contemporary artist Ludmila Pawlowska to create genre-bending, tradition-violating spiritual explorations she calls “Icons in Transformation.” She combines ancient color symbolism and religious motifs with her unique 3D abstract painting techniques. Icons in Transformation has toured the country, often in churches and sometimes doubling as a fundraiser for Ukrainian relief. This fall, it takes up residence at St. James Episcopal Church in Pullman, along with icons on loan from the Vasilevsky Monastery in Suzdal, Russia.

Ludmila Pawlowska: Icons in Transformation • Sun, Sept. 15-Wed, Nov. 6; open Sun from 1-4 pm, Wed from 10 am-2 pm, Fri from 4-7 pm • Free • All ages • St. James Episcopal Church • 1410 NE Stadium Way, Pullman • stjamespullman.org