An exhibition by an artist who specialises in iconography opens this weekend at the London Jesuit Centre in Mayfair, with some icons also displayed next door at Farm Street Church, home of the British Jesuits.

The artist, Dr Irina Bradley, is one of the leading iconographers in the UK and her works have been exhibited at Buckingham Palace, Christchurch Cathedral in Oxford, Cumberland Lodge in Great Windsor Park, and other prestigious venues.

There are approximately 75 pieces in this new exhibition, entitled ‘Metamorphosis’, including a new icon of St Magnus Erlendsson. The image is based on the recent facial reconstruction of the saint, which in turn drew on photographs from the 1920s of what is said to be the skull of the 12th Century Norse earl: Face of Orkney's St Magnus reconstructed - BBC News

Irina's icons are created to be prayerful meditations which focus on the the transformation which takes place in the souls of the faithful. While working on the icon of St Magnus, Irina said it was as though the saint was staring into her soul.

Before she began work on the icon, Irina made a pilgrimage to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall in Orkney to allow her to connect with the saint. While there, she was allowed to examine a representation of the family tree of St Magnus and was surprised to discover that the saint and her husband share a common ancestor.

Irina is an orthodox Christian herself and follows the tradition of icon painters from the past, who fast and pray while making their works of art. Often seen as historical art, Irina is creating contemporary icons which keep the art of iconography alive while remaining true to its principals.

A private view of the exhibition is taking place at Farm St Church at 114 Mount St, London W1K 3AH on Friday 7th January between 7.30-9.30pm, and the exhibition then runs until 10th February 2022.

Two lectures to be given by Irina will also be hosted by Farm Street Church:  

The first is on Friday 21st of January at 6.45pm and is called ‘Icons in the Making’. Tickets can be purchased here

The second is on Monday 7th of February at 6.45pm and is called ‘Symbolism of Colour in Icon Painting’. Tickets can be purchased here

You can listen to an interview Irina did about her work with BBC Radio Orkney on 6th January 2022 by clicking on the link below.

Dr Irina Bradley interviewed about her icons - YouTube