Description

“Saint Phanourios” by Inna Orlik is a striking reinterpretation of traditional Eastern Orthodox iconography, rendered on plywood with a rich interplay of texture and light. The painting portrays Saint Phanourios—a revered figure known for his role as the “finder of lost things”—with a serene, compassionate expression that radiates both humility and divine strength. Clad in a flowing robe and crowned with a softly glowing halo, the saint’s eyes seem to invite contemplation and solace, embodying the timeless promise of hope and guidance. The natural grain of the plywood subtly emerges through the layered paint, lending the work an organic, almost sacred antiquity that resonates with the weight of tradition.

Orlik’s distinctive artistic style merges the meticulous detail and spiritual gravitas of Byzantine icons with modern expressive techniques. Her masterful use of bold brushstrokes and delicate gold accents creates a luminous focal point that both honors and reinvents classical imagery. The textured surface, enhanced by the inherent character of the plywood, contributes to a tactile richness that draws the viewer into a meditative dialogue with the subject. This piece serves as a bridge between past and present—a contemporary homage that reawakens the enduring power of faith and the transformative presence of the divine in everyday life.

To stand in front of an Orlik artwork is more than viewing, it is a sensation inspired by a sprawling depth of spirituality, and the currents of history, imagination, and dreams. From myths that survive over time and those images of reverie which often turn a crushing reality into a bearable and almost poetic one. Inna Orlik has thoroughly studied painting and graphic arts, has exhibited her works all over the world, and chose Athens as the base for her passion. In her exclusive style of painting, she masterfully combines the Western technique and the fairy-like mystery of the East. Her compositions are dense, visual facts that create subjection to the viewer as a result of their noble artistry. Whoever stands in front of an Orlik painting sinks, almost unconsciously, into a world of magic where miracles can happen anytime.