Albany exhibit highlights icons

Visitors to the Visions Gallery at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany can encounter "heaven on earth" until Dec. 23.

"Heaven on Earth" is the title of an exhibit of more than 30 icons "written" by Christine Simoneau Hales of Philmont. One large "iconostasis" fills the Pastoral Center's lobby, featuring Christ in glory as the centerpiece along with Mary, John the Baptist and the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Traditional images are presented in a contemporary light.

The exhibit also includes smaller images of madonnas, Christ, Old Testament figures and saints. One arrangement of three icons shows the transfiguration with angels to the left and right holding scrolls bearing the messages, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength," and "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Loyal to centuries of tradition, iconographers like Mrs. Hales follow a strict discipline in the creation of each icon. Prayer and contemplation begin and end each stage in the icon writing process.

Only natural materials are used. Layers of gesso are applied to a wood icon board to prepare it for the egg tempera and natural pigments. The final step is to have the icon blessed.

More than paint
Mrs. Hales explained that an iconographer is not a painter - that "writing" an icon "is like being a scribe, faithfully recording the traditions and teachings of the Church."

Mrs. Hales is a licensed minister in a non-denominational Christian affiliation who works as a painter and art therapist. She embraced iconography, an ancient discipline associated with orthodoxy and eastern Catholicism, because she believes that God has called her to work to effect a greater unity among Christian denominations.

She also believes God wants her to spark a yearning among unchurched young people for the faith, which then may lead to attendance at worship services.

"Basically, the place that God has called me into is an unusual one," Mrs. Hales told The Evangelist. Through multimedia presentations, lectures, workshops and classes, she uses the history of Christian art and iconography to help people understand their common roots before the schism that divided Christianity and the subsequent rise of a multitude of religious congregations.

"Through these images," she added, "people can realize that the divisions that happened a millenium ago really could be addressed in part by looking at the icons and focusing on the unity that we all really do hold together."

New book
As another expression of this mission, Mrs. Hales recently published "The New Renais-sance: Revival in Christian Contemporary Art." The book is richly illustrated by the artist and her husband, world-renowned photographer Mick Hales.

The volume includes several of her icons, as well as her prophetic paintings - a visual art form sparked by the artist's spiritual response to contemporary worship music. "The New Renaissance" is meant to show people how ancient and modern Christian art can bridge centuries of division.

Mrs. Hales says that her personal experience of God's boundless love has given her a sense of purpose and a mission to evangelize via art.

Said the iconographer: "Even though I don't totally understand God's purposes, His ways are not my ways. I just trust in Him and someday, somewhere down the line, it will all make sense in His kingdom."

"Heaven on Earth" is on display in the Visions Gallery at the Pastoral Center, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany, through Dec. 23. Call 453-6600. Mrs. Hales also teaches iconography; a new class is forming in January at St. John/St. Ann's Church in Albany. To contact her about the class, a lecture, an exhibit or commissioning an original icon, email [email protected].

(12-10-09)