The Artist · Vio Vlad
A Life
Written in Icons
Romanian-born iconographer Vio Vlad has spent more than forty years creating Orthodox icons, reverse glass works and sacred images by hand.
His Story
From Brașov to Ryde
Vio was born in Brașov, Transylvania. His first memories of icons came from his grandmother’s home, where images on glass and wood quietly shaped his imagination.
Later, while studying history at university, he also studied History of Art. There he discovered the old techniques more deeply and began a lifelong study of Orthodox iconography.
Today, from Ryde on the Isle of Wight, he continues to work slowly by hand, close to the traditions of the Old Masters.
Vio Vlad, iconographer and woodworker.
Christ Pantocrator.
The Work
Icons written, not simply painted
In Orthodox tradition, icons are often described as being written. This points to their purpose: they are not only pictures, but visual expressions of faith.
An icon communicates through colour, gesture, inscription, stillness and symbol. The iconographer receives and continues a sacred tradition rather than inventing freely.
Vio’s work avoids the slick, shiny or digital appearance of modern reproductions. The aim is quiet reverence.
Mother of God.
Saint George.
Reverse-painted icon on glass.
Reverse Glass Icons
Painted in reverse, viewed in light
Reverse painting on glass is one of Romania’s distinctive icon traditions. The image is painted on the back of the glass, so the smallest details come first.
The background comes last. What appears simple from the front requires patience, planning and a deep understanding of the image.
Tradition
Wood, glass and the Old Masters
Icons on wood
Orthodox sacred images created on wooden panels, following traditional subjects, gestures and forms.
Reverse glass icons
Romanian icons painted backwards on glass, rooted in old Transylvanian craft.
Byzantine, Greek and Russian influence
Sacred works shaped by the wider Orthodox world, written with respect for inherited iconographic rules.
The Workshop
Wood, glass, pigment and patience
Vio’s work is deliberately slow. Surfaces are prepared carefully, forms are drawn with respect for tradition, and each image is built by hand.
Some icons use gold leaf. Others use careful substitutions to create a quieter old-world effect.
The aim is not luxury or shine. The aim is reverence.
Collections
Homes, churches and chapels
Vio’s icons are part of private collections in the United Kingdom, Romania, France, Germany and the United States.
His work can also be found in churches in England and Romania, in hospital chapels in London and at Saint Mary’s Hospital Chapel in Newport.
Vio is a member of the British Association of Iconographers. One of his icons was purchased more than thirty years ago by Princess Alexandra of Romania for her nunnery in the USA.
Today
Ryde, Isle of Wight
Today, from his studio in Ryde, Vio continues to create icons rooted in Byzantine, Romanian and Russian traditions.
He hopes the work brings happiness, contemplation and peace to others.
Follow Vio’s Work