Cyprus iconographer does things her way

PAUL LAMBIS meets a Byzantine artist creating spiritual masterpieces on the island who is rare because she is both a woman and a foreigner

Although born and raised in Holland, living for over 20 years in the United Kingdom, and eventually settling in Cyprus with her husband and three children, Ina Ioannides considers herself a “proud Cypriot”, and aims to inspire people through her eye-catching collection of art.

Throughout the course of the last three decades that she has lived on the island, Ina has established a reputation as a talented iconographer with an impressive portfolio showcasing her experience and skill in upholding the art’s heritage.

“I started painting icons when I was approaching my fifties and decided to work on an icon of Saint Panteleimon, my husband’s patron saint. After visiting the Monastery of Kykkos and receiving constructive criticism for my work from a priest there, I decided to pursue iconography full-time because I wanted to be the best that I can be as a Byzantine artist,” Ioannides said.

Ioannides creates her iconographic works from home in Ayia Fyla, Limassol, and they range from small icons depicting portraits of saints to life size interpretations of biblical scenes and figures. “Byzantine art is a style that emerged in the eastern Mediterranean during the rule of the Byzantine Empire and later expanded to other regions of the Christian world. It transitioned from classical naturalistic figures to flat frontal figures, which can be seen in the mosaics and icons I produce today.”

Ina said she continues to evolve as an artist, much as Byzantine art did over time, because each new icon is an improvement over the previous one. “It takes hours, weeks, months and years of practice to depict devotional Christian subjects in angular forms with sharp contours, flattened colour and gold decoration,” she explained.

“It is very simple to step out of the dogma when working on Byzantine art. Iconographers must therefore exercise extreme caution. Since it is not a personal expression, one cannot make too many changes.”

Ioannides grew up in Amsterdam, where she developed a love for knitting and sewing as a young girl. Although iconography would enter her life much later, Ina had numerous occupations before finding her niche, including working as a fashion model, an extra in television and film shows, and a professional seamstress for clothing, curtains, blinds and cushions. “When we moved to Cyprus, I also enjoyed working on people’s gardens, one of which was in Ayia Fyla. I loved the area so much that I wanted to move there,” she added.

After purchasing a run-down, old-fashioned home, Ina and her family put a lot of effort into renovating it to its former splendour, “with every icon sold paying towards the improvements and the landscaping of my own garden.”

However, Ioannides’ path in religious painting was anything but straightforward. “It was difficult for me to receive recognition from the Church of Cyprus for my work since I was a foreigner and, more specifically, a woman,” she told the Cyprus Mail. “The late Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria did, however, grant me a certificate for my work in September 2000, after I had undergone intensive training and education in Byzantine two-dimensional paintings and mosaics under the guidance of iconographer Akis Kyriakides.”

Ina said having a strong spiritual bond with the Holy Spirit helps her paint with clarity and direction throughout the process. “Time seems to stand still for no apparent reason, and as I get closer to finishing, I step back and marvel at the outcome of my work while acknowledging divine assistance.”

Every piece of work, in her opinion, presents its own challenges, but her recent icon of the Virgin Mary surrounded by all the saints as Her spirit ascends to heaven, stands out for a number of reasons. “I felt the weight of responsibility to create the most correct and most beautiful representation of this art form, therefore I put a lot of effort into this icon, which was also six square metres in size. It took me three months to complete while working on it full-time, and I consider it one of my greatest pieces.”

Today, Ina’s icons and mosaics can be found in churches, medical facilities, private residences and other locations all across the island, as well as in Canada, Belgium, Holland and the United Kingdom.

At the age of 81 Ina shows no signs of slowing down. She acknowledges all the family and friends who have supported her through her toughest times, whether personal or professional, and she is extremely grateful of their encouragement. Nevertheless, she still picks up her paintbrush every day and turns her blank canvases into spiritual masterpieces. “If I had to reflect on my career as an iconographer, I would have to say that I am wholly satisfied with what I have been able to accomplish over the years. Despite some challenges along the way, I am happy and proud to have broken the glass ceiling as a female iconographer in Cyprus, and I am happy to say that I did it my way.”