ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY REPORT:
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
17 Aug 2012
Commissioned by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell and created by Sydney-based artist, Christopher Wolter, the University of Notre Dame's superb icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is finally complete.
Although the icon was blessed by the Cardinal in late 2009 and installed in Notre Dame's campus courtyard the following year, the final piece of the Icon was only added this week when watched by hundreds of students, the artist climbed a ladder and affixed the last mosaic.
The ceremony took place on the Feast of Assumption following High Mass at St Benedict's Church, Broadway celebrated by Notre Dame chaplain, Fr Lam Vu and Assistant Chaplain Fr John Neill.
According to Christopher the timing couldn't have been better.
"This really was the perfect day for the last tile to be fitted," he says.
The tiny crimson glass mosaic completed Our Lady's heart in the image depicted on the Icon, and was deliberately omitted from the sacred artwork when Christopher created it three years ago.
"Last month the final tile was taken to Rome by a group of pilgrims from the university and received the blessing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI," Christopher explains.
The pilgrimage during the University's winter break was led by Notre Dame's Chaplain Father Lam Vu and Chaplaincy Convenor, Jessica Landgrell and both were on hand on Wednesday, 15 August to see the final mosaic of the Icon installed.
Christopher who also lectures in theology at the university admits he had not expected to be moved when he affixed the last mosaic into the two metre tall larger-than-life-size Icon.
"I suppose I had seen this last stage as simply something that had to be done. But once I got up the ladder and started putting it in, the depth of emotion I felt took me by surprise," he says.
As someone who has studied and appreciates all forms of art, Cardinal Pell asked Christopher, who was then artist in residence at the University to create an Icon of Our Lady based on the original Sancta Maria Sedes Sapientiae (Our Lady Seat of Wisdom) commissioned by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
Made by Slovenian Jesuit and theologian, Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik, the Pope Paul II commissioned Icon now travels from nation to nation as a symbol of learning and inspiration for young people at educational institutions, universities and schools across the globe.
In the wake of World Youth Day in 2008, the John Paul II Icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, patron saint of universities, toured Australia.
Throughout the Icon's eight month tour, Christopher was also hard at work creating another equally beautiful and inspiring Icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom for the Sydney campus of the University of Notre Dame.
"When I was very young I'd had a go at making an icon, but it wasn't very successful," he says laughing.
That first attempt took place long before he entered art school and before he became one of Australia's rising young artists. But Christopher says he has never lost his fascination with iconography.
Prior to creating this icon for Notre Dame's Broadway courtyard, Christopher undertook detailed research into this ancient form of sacred art. He also followed the Eastern tradition of Icon makers dating back many centuries who fast and pray as they meticulously fashion the Image of Our Lady and the Christ child in mosaics.
"But my approach was also very much that of a Western artist. I didn't feel the need to copy Rupnik's image exactly or create a replica. Instead I took liberties not only with colours but also with the size," he says.
The glass tiles Christopher used for the Icon came from Italy and China while the beautiful pink fragments were created from a chunk of amethyst crystal given to him by one of his friends.
"The shade was perfect and these were the fragments I used around Our Lady's eyes, Our Lord's eyes and both their lips," he says.
Although his usual medium is oil painting creating portraits or landscapes, Christopher loved the challenge creating this very special artwork for the University.
"His Eminence Cardinal Pell was very supportive throughout the process and has great knowledge of art including iconography," he says.
As for the icon in the courtyard of Notre Dame's Broadway Campus, his hope is that Our Lady Seat of Wisdom will continue to inspire students for many years to come not only in learning but in faith.
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
17 Aug 2012
Icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom inspired Notre Dame's Icon commissioned by Cardinal Pell
Although the icon was blessed by the Cardinal in late 2009 and installed in Notre Dame's campus courtyard the following year, the final piece of the Icon was only added this week when watched by hundreds of students, the artist climbed a ladder and affixed the last mosaic.
The ceremony took place on the Feast of Assumption following High Mass at St Benedict's Church, Broadway celebrated by Notre Dame chaplain, Fr Lam Vu and Assistant Chaplain Fr John Neill.
According to Christopher the timing couldn't have been better.
"This really was the perfect day for the last tile to be fitted," he says.
The tiny crimson glass mosaic completed Our Lady's heart in the image depicted on the Icon, and was deliberately omitted from the sacred artwork when Christopher created it three years ago.
"Last month the final tile was taken to Rome by a group of pilgrims from the university and received the blessing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI," Christopher explains.
Cardinal Pell commissioned Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Icon for Notre Dame's Sydney campus
Christopher who also lectures in theology at the university admits he had not expected to be moved when he affixed the last mosaic into the two metre tall larger-than-life-size Icon.
"I suppose I had seen this last stage as simply something that had to be done. But once I got up the ladder and started putting it in, the depth of emotion I felt took me by surprise," he says.
As someone who has studied and appreciates all forms of art, Cardinal Pell asked Christopher, who was then artist in residence at the University to create an Icon of Our Lady based on the original Sancta Maria Sedes Sapientiae (Our Lady Seat of Wisdom) commissioned by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
Made by Slovenian Jesuit and theologian, Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik, the Pope Paul II commissioned Icon now travels from nation to nation as a symbol of learning and inspiration for young people at educational institutions, universities and schools across the globe.
Artist Christopher Wolter places final tile in the Icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom at Notre Dame University
Throughout the Icon's eight month tour, Christopher was also hard at work creating another equally beautiful and inspiring Icon of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom for the Sydney campus of the University of Notre Dame.
"When I was very young I'd had a go at making an icon, but it wasn't very successful," he says laughing.
That first attempt took place long before he entered art school and before he became one of Australia's rising young artists. But Christopher says he has never lost his fascination with iconography.
Prior to creating this icon for Notre Dame's Broadway courtyard, Christopher undertook detailed research into this ancient form of sacred art. He also followed the Eastern tradition of Icon makers dating back many centuries who fast and pray as they meticulously fashion the Image of Our Lady and the Christ child in mosaics.
Notre Dame Chaplain, Fr Lam Vu, Chaplaincy Convenor Jessica Langrell and students in Rome on pilgrimage last month
The glass tiles Christopher used for the Icon came from Italy and China while the beautiful pink fragments were created from a chunk of amethyst crystal given to him by one of his friends.
"The shade was perfect and these were the fragments I used around Our Lady's eyes, Our Lord's eyes and both their lips," he says.
Although his usual medium is oil painting creating portraits or landscapes, Christopher loved the challenge creating this very special artwork for the University.
"His Eminence Cardinal Pell was very supportive throughout the process and has great knowledge of art including iconography," he says.
As for the icon in the courtyard of Notre Dame's Broadway Campus, his hope is that Our Lady Seat of Wisdom will continue to inspire students for many years to come not only in learning but in faith.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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