London: Exhibition of work by Krakow Icon School

The Soul's Journey Through Art - A beautiful exhibition of icons painted by the Krakow Icon School has opened at the Polish Cultural Centre (POSK) in Hammersemith, west London.

The show includes several images of Christ Pantocrator and Our Lady, as well as some more unusual images - among them Jonah and the Whale, and one of the Desert Saints, perched on a high pedestal.

Anna Gelbon, founder of the school said that the timeless classical beauty, which icons express, continues to be relevant today. "Harmonies in the lines and in the compositions create an inner peace," she said. "This reminds us that it is through Art that we can heal the soul. Dostoyevsky once wrote that: 'Art will redeem the world'. I believe this wholeheartedly."

Anna Gelbon, founder of this Polish icon painting school. She herself is an artist, art historian, as well as professional icon painter. Teaching icon painting over the years, she observes with both interest and joy, that not only do students improve their artistic skills but that they also develop their inner lives. She has come to the conclusion that icon painting opens the way to a contemplative spiritual journey.

During the private view on Friday, the celebrated young Polish baritone Lukasz Hajduczenia accompanied by Dimitri Tugarinou sang some haunting ancient Orthodox hymns and chants.

The exhibition runs until 21 July at POSK, 238-46 King Street, London W6 0RF

The school runs courses at the Orthodox Church in Krakow during term time and also organises summer and winter icon painting retreats in the ancient monastery of Suprasl, in eastern Poland.

There is also in introductory workshop planned at POSK.

For more information please contact Krystyna Zaremba email: krystyna.zaremba@theyat.net

Watch a clip of Lukasz Hajduczenia singing at the event: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni8QCpqNqTc

Find out more about Lukasz Hajduczenia here: www.lukaszhajduczenia.com