wasef matias
About the artist
Wasef Matias began studying Coptic iconography in 1987. He has a Master of Arts degree in Coptic Art from the Institute for Coptic Studies in Cairo, Egypt. He spent five years in the studio of the Egyptian master Dr. Isaac Fanous, training in the Contemporary or neo-Coptic form of Iconongraphy. This style of sacred Iconography draws heavily on its Pharoanic artist's heritage as well as modern art theory. In 1991, Wasef started his career by installing mosaics and icons in churches and monasteries throughout Egypt, England, Canada and the U.S.
He lectures and demonstrates copti art at universities, schools and art councils in the U.S. He is one of the few qualified iconographers working in the Coptic tradition.
The Artist is available for commisson icon and mosaic work internationally. Please use the contact form to request a quotation.
Introduction
The art of Icongraphy started with the intention of educating the converts to the Church, with the conversion of the Roman Emperor constantine (307-337AD) to christianity ,as many christian converts had diffculty in understanding the biblical teachings and their spiritual meanings, so the early church leaders permitted the use of icon to help them to understand christianity and its doctrines aided by visual means.
Icon are an- integral-part of the coptic warship for inspiring and teaching the faithful the mysteries of christian church.
So we can say than Iconography is not merely an art but it is visual theolgy.
What is Tempera Paint
Tempera or "egg tempera" is a type of paint made by mixing powered pigments with egg yolks. Tempera pigmentsusually came from natural sources such as minerals, wood, plants or clay. Because tempera dried right away, artists had to apply it quickly with small brushstrokes. Rapid drying also made it difficult to change or correct the painting later.
Tempera is the oldest paint known. It was used in wall paintings of ancient Egypt, Babylonia and Greece. Tempera remained popular, especially in early Renaissance Italy, until the 15th century, when Oil Paints were developed.
Today's tempera paints are very different than tempera paints of the past. The "tempera" paints many of us use in school are not made by grinding pigments and cracking eggs. Bottled "tempera" paints are popular paints for elementary students and above because of their bright, washable colors.
The different colourants used on icons
were discussed. Colouring theories and properties of colourants such as refracThe most important colourants that were used for colouring the icons tive index, coverage, particle size, specific gravity and relative density are mentioned. In addition to that, the groups of natural mineral colours and organic dyes are dealt with, e.g.:
*White colourants: gypsum, zinc, titanium.
*Red colourants: red ochre, kermes
*Yellow colourants: yellow ochre, osfor
*Blue colourants: Egyptian blue, indigo. and other colourants such as: violet; brown and black.
workshop offered by the artst
I feel thet it is my duty to make artistic instruction available to all regardless of the level of
experience and accomplishment of the workshop attendees. My workshops are esily adapted
to accomodate the various levels of expertize whether the have no experience or are skilled artisans
Each workshop will consist of
Brief introduction of the history of egg tempera and gold leaf addition to mosiac art Icongraphy.- Detailed explanation of different materials used and specific techinique required to complete your own piece of art.
- Actual hands on damonstration and participation by the attendees will make up a majority of each workshop.
- I will offer either one time workshop or a series of workshops to give the attendess the most I can offer with my extensive of iconography and mosiacs.
please contact the artst for group rates or individual lessons.
