Museum of Russian Icons Summer 2019 Newsletter MoRI_SUMMER_2019_newsletter web | Page 5

LECTURE
Creativity and Tradition in Iconography: A Balancing
Act with Iconographer Maureen McCormick
Sunday, August 18, 1:00-2:30pm
Members $6, Nonmembers $12
Maureen McCormick is a latter day iconographer, affiliate instructor of the
Prosopon School of Iconology and Iconography, and iconographer in residence at
Trinity Church, Princeton (NJ). She attended her first iconography workshop with
Vladislav Andrejev, founder of the School in 1996 and was immediately drawn to
the medium and to the mystical theology that informs this centuries-old sacred
art of the Christian East. This illustrated lecture will explore the tension between
tradition and creativity in the process of designing and executing icons in the 21st
century. Using recently completed icons – including one inspired by an icon in the
Museum’s collection – Maureen will discuss the myriad decisions, artistic and
theological, that the iconographer must make, all the while remaining within the
canon of a centuries-old sacred art.
Maureen holds an MFA in printmaking from the Tyler School of Art of Temple
University. She moved to the Princeton area in 1986 to join the staff of the
Princeton University Art Museum. In early 2013, after years of juggling a
satisfying but demanding career with her study of the icon, Maureen stepped down
from her position as Chief Registrar and Manager of Collections Services to devote
herself more fully to iconography.
Mother of God Don't Cry, c. 1550,
egg tempera on board
Mother of God Don't Cry,
Maureen McCormick, egg tempera
on gessoed board
CURATOR'S TALK
Why Wrestle Angels? Who’s Asking?
with Exhibition Curator Lynette Hull
Saturday, September 28, 1:00-2:00pm
Members $6, Nonmembers $12
Wrestling with Angels explores how God relates to man
and how man wrestles with God in order to understand
life’s meaning. In this curator’s talk, discover the unspoken
assumptions behind the icons, how the iconographer
communicates these assumptions artistically, and why they
matter. The 45-minute lecture will be followed by a Q&A
with the curator.
Lynette has studied iconography with Vladislav Andrejev for fifteen years. She lectured at Princeton University,
Cambridge University, England, University of Toronto, Canada, Wheaton College, and many other universities, seminaries
and churches. She has participated in icon exhibits throughout the US and Russia. She organizes teacher workshops
and conferences for the Prosopon School, occasionally assists Mr. Andrejev, teaches beginner workshops, and holds open
studios at her home.
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