Aidan Hart: the allure of religious iconography

Photo: Supplied

In the early 80s Aidan Hart left his job as a teacher and took up sculpting full-time, embarking on a quest to find art that would help him express the inner spirituality of man. This exploration drew him to religious icons, and eventually led him to becoming a member of the Orthodox Church.

While continuing to work as an iconographer, from 1988 to 2000 Hart lived as a monk, including spending two years on Mount Athos in Greece and six as a hermit in Shropshire, UK. 

Hart has been a helping hand in putting together the Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World, open now at Auckland Art Gallery.

In August, Hart will be giving a painting demonstration as part of the exhibition, details here.
 

Mother of God and Child, Madonnero School, Crete, 17th century. On loan from a private collection Canberra

Mother of God and Child, Madonnero School, Crete, 17th century. On loan from a private collection Canberra

Saint George and the Dragon, Crete, circa 1500. Egg tempera gold leaf and gesso on wood. Private collection Canberra.