Prince Charles visits icon exhibition at Farm Street

Fr Dominic Robinson with Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales was welcomed to Farm Street Church in Mayfair on Sunday evening, when he came to see the 'Metamorphosis' Icon Exhibition.

During the visit he met the artist Dr Irina Bradley with her husband Jerry and four year old granddaughter Jamie. He also met Yasko Kurahachi, president of Farm Street's St Vincent de Paul Society, priests, parishioners, volunteers and guests from the parish homeless service.

Dr Bradley has known Prince Charles for more than seven years. They met when he attended the graduates exhibition at The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, in 2015, where she had completed her doctorate. That day they discussed their shared interest in iconography, and the Prince has kept an interest in her work ever since. During the evening, Dr Bradley gave Prince Charles an icon of Saint Corona, in recognition of his recovery from Covid last March.

Parish priest Fr Dominic Robinson, said: "The visit showed how close to the heart of the Prince of Wales is the use of art to make spiritual connections."

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

There are approximately 75 pieces in this show, including an 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.

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 that icon, Irina made a pilgrimage to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall in Orkney to allow her to connect with the saint.

Irina is an Orthodox Christian 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.

The Metamorphosis exhibition is open to the public until 9 February at the following times:

Saturdays - 11am to 8pm, Sundays - 11am to 8pm and weekdays - 8am to 8pm.

Irina will be giving her second lecture at Farm Street: 'Symbolism of Colour in Icon Painting' next Monday 7 February at 6.45pm.

Tickets can be purchased here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-symbolism-of-colour-in-icon-painting-tickets-247129881127

FURTHER LINKS

Irina Bradley's website: www.irinabradley.com

Princes Foundation School of Traditional Arts: https://princes-foundation.org/school-of-traditional-arts