Women's Iconography in the Twenty-First Century: A Roundtable Discussion

When: Tuesday 21 May, 10 am - 5 pm

Where: Arts and Humanities Insitute, Maynooth University (North Campus)

Maynooth University’s Department of English is delighted to welcome three leading female iconographers from the United States, Mexico and Britain for a roundtable discussion about their art practice and experiences as female artists working in a sacred art tradition from which women have been historically excluded. In presentations showcasing their work and spiritual journeys as artists, and in conversation with one another, our delegates will reflect on their interventions in the artform. This roundtable is part of a larger programme of events hosted by the Contemporary Women Icons AHRC-funded Research Project led by Dr Azelina Flint. This project raises awareness of women’s understudied accomplishments in iconography and supports local community groups in creating icons of overlooked, or obscured, women from their own communities. We are grateful to Maynooth University's Impact Through Dissemination Fund for co-funding this event.

Our Speakers...

Angela Yarber is an 8-time award-winning author and artist. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion, nearly 150 of her folk-feminist icons have been sold in galleries, homes, and churches around the world. She is the founder of Tehom Center Publishing, an imprint publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers, and an Affiliate Professor of Women in Religious Leadership at Drew University. Her art and writing focuses on elevating the stories of marginalized women and has been featured in Forbes, NPR, HuffPo, Ms Magazine, and the television show Tiny House Nation.

Mary Jane Miller is a Mexico-based self-taught Byzantine-style iconographer with over three decades of experience using egg tempera. She is a passionate artist, designer, teacher, and author. Miller writes and paints contemporary sacred images,her approach is luxurious, blending historical Christian content, and personal insights to arrive at contemporary conclusions about faith. The work is unique, provocative, and at times unorthodox with a particular slant towards remembrance for the Earth and unrecognized female mystics.

Sharon Seager typed ‘painting for god’ into her search engine eleven years ago, beginning a journey that has led to a life dedicated to painting icons and teaching others this practice. Her previous studies, work as a scenic artist in the theatre and meditation practice as well as the Jewish tradition of her birth all combine to inform her current practice. Sharon's chosen specialism is painting in the contemporary expression of the Russian Byzantine style. Sharon continues to be mentored in both painting and teaching practice by the Prosopon School Of Iconolgy in EU, USA and online. Her work can be seen locally where she currently lives and works in London. She will be contributing to the next Catalogue of work being published by the Prosopon School.