“Yea, I have a goodly heritage” – Psalm 16

Eight artists. All alike in dignity. In fair old St Paul’s. Where we lay our scene.
If you walk across the picturesque Millennium Bridge and head towards St Paul’s Cathedral, on your right is the oasis of calm that is Gallery 101, at the Salvation Army Headquarters.

It is here that His Eminence the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Gregorios, is being “Immortalised by Art.”
Eight artists have come together in this quite breathtaking exhibition to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of the most loved leaders of the Greek and Cypriot community there has ever been. Also being celebrated is his 30 years as Archbishop, a quite staggering achievement. Most are astonished at his inexhaustible and enviable energy, and persistent spirit.

Taking the modern views of religion and ethnic roots shown in the bold and colourful work of Alexandros Kapraras, or the vivid, vibrant and arresting images of photographer Alexios Gennaris, each artist brings his or her own unique brand and interpretation on the central underlying themes of the exhibition – tradition, community, spirit, faith, heritage, leadership and legacy.
Some items are not for sale. Some are priced. They are all worthy pieces, all.

I highly recommend this show. The two showcase items are the Christ in gold leaf and cracked glass. I stared at that for a full few minutes. And the eerie image of His Eminence in profile with black background, captured like an oil painting but is in reality a sharp photograph. This is the picture that was used for the exhibition poster. In the flesh, it is powerful and monumental. And an important work of art.
Immortalised by Art is remarkable, pioneering and authentic. It captures the spirit of a man who will be talked about for generations to come – this spiritual and community leader who walked among us, in flesh and blood.

Expertly curated by Kerry Zacharia, the exhibiting artists are:-
Alexios Gennaris
Yorgos Papadopoulos
Alexandros Kapraras
Despina Symeou
Doros Partasides
Kerry Zacharia
Eleftherios Foulidis
Michael Minas
Psalm 103 is read at Vespers in Greek Orthodox Churches up and down this country – and I was reminded of it looking at these moving works: – “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth”.

Immortalised by Art
Gallery 101
101 Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 4EH
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Review by James Neophytou

Photos Alexios Gennaris

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