Olga
De Matteis

My work is inspired by the ancient art of Orthodox icons reinterpreted in a contemporary way. I create abstract icons to access the deeper reality of the universe and push individuals towards new discoveries. The object of my art is the world of ideas - supernatural, eternal, infinite - and its relationship with the terrestrial world.

In my work I use ancient techniques of the icons together with contemporary techniques, collage, photography, engraving and coining.  My works, contemporary icons, as well as ancient icons, are made on wooden boards. With pigments, photographs, tree bark, sand I represent the immanent world, with gold I describe the spiritual and transcendent world.

Since adolescence, art has been a great passion of mine together with philosophy, theology and psychology. I have Russian origins and grew up in St. Petersburg. In 2006 I graduated in psychology and in 2011 I moved to Italy. I graduated with honors from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. In 2014 I specialized in Monumental Painting at the Repin University of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. In 2016, I started attending the Byzantine iconology and iconography course at the International Association of Art and Spirituality Byzarticon in Rome, where I acquired the ancient techniques of icon painting and gilding.