Irina Bradley
One of the leading iconographers in the UK. Awarded doctorate by the Prince's School of Traditional Arts in 2015. Icon painter, fine artist with a passion for contemporary art. Visiting tutor for MA at the Princes School of Traditional Arts. Academic interests: Early Christianity and Iconography. Irina also teaches icon painting at her Buckinghamshire studio. Irina’s icons are in churches, private chapels and collections in Australia, Norway, Russia, the UAE, United Kingdom and the United States.
Irina offers courses in the Russo-Byzantine liquid tempera technique of icon painting. . She teaches icon painting courses at her studio in High Wycombe on a regular basis several times a week, including some Saturdays. New students are welcome to start attending drop-in classes on a schedule that suits them or intensive 5 day classes.
Irina has exhibited at several international exhibitions and has presented at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Temenos Academy and Oxford University.
To contact Irina you can e-mail her at irinabradley@hotmail.com or telephone on 01494 534974 or 07905 059419.
Events
Irina Bradley on the BBC World Service
Irina was featured on the BBC World Service in March 2024. The full program can be heard here: https://bbc.in/49vWvcl
A short video about Irina and the program can be viewed here: BBC World Service on X: "“Painting icons is a healing experience.” Dr Irina Bradley is an iconographer and teacher who found the practice after a cancer diagnosis changed her life. She now has work in churches, private chapels and collections all over the world 📻 https://t.co/4PativgjiA https://t.co/mSpDgqDcss" / X (twitter.com)
A short video about Irina and the program can be viewed here: BBC World Service on X: "“Painting icons is a healing experience.” Dr Irina Bradley is an iconographer and teacher who found the practice after a cancer diagnosis changed her life. She now has work in churches, private chapels and collections all over the world 📻 https://t.co/4PativgjiA https://t.co/mSpDgqDcss" / X (twitter.com)
On Earth as it is in Heaven - Icon Exhibition
Artful on BYUtv
Irina is featured in a program called Artful which is showing on BYUtv from Utah. The program is available on their website:
https://www.byutv.org/6e9c680d-b94b-4b92-8066-bea1fdd98da5?utm_source=artist&utm_medium=fbig&utm_campaign=AF_S4Artist&utm_id=Artful&utm_content=Irina+Bradley
Irina is featured in a program called Artful which is showing on BYUtv from Utah. The program is available on their website:
https://www.byutv.org/6e9c680d-b94b-4b92-8066-bea1fdd98da5?utm_source=artist&utm_medium=fbig&utm_campaign=AF_S4Artist&utm_id=Artful&utm_content=Irina+Bradley
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Traditional Art as Living Practice Irina's work is featured in this exhibition at the Garrison Chapel in Chelsea. Five of her works will be on display including her St George and the Dragon which was on display at Dumfries House and is featured in the recent Artful TV series. |
BBC 1 Songs of Praise Sunday February 5th 1:15 pm
Irina was featured on the long running BBC program. Details of the program can be found on the BBC website, click on the link to view
BBC One - Songs of Praise, Hidden Gems, Trail: Hidden Gems
The BBC website says: "One Grade II listed chapel hidden in the heart of a new property complex in Chelsea is home to an exhibition space for the Prince's Foundation, which offers students the opportunity to study the ancient art of iconography. Irina Bradley, a tutor in traditional arts, explains the symbolism of icons and that she believes God healed her cancer after she prayed before an icon of Mary."
BBC One - Songs of Praise, Hidden Gems, Trail: Hidden Gems
The BBC website says: "One Grade II listed chapel hidden in the heart of a new property complex in Chelsea is home to an exhibition space for the Prince's Foundation, which offers students the opportunity to study the ancient art of iconography. Irina Bradley, a tutor in traditional arts, explains the symbolism of icons and that she believes God healed her cancer after she prayed before an icon of Mary."
Metamorphosis Icon Exhibition January 8th to February 9th 2022
Church of the Immaculate Conception Mayfair, 114 Mount St, London W1K 3AH
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Irina will be exhibiting many new works including her icon of St Magnus the Martyr. In addition many of her students will be exhibiting their work. In total there will be about 70 icons most of which have never been on public view before. In addition the triptych of the Archangel Gabriel, Our Lady of Tenderness and the Archangel Gabriel which were on view at Buckingham Palace in 2018 will be on display. The exhibition is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The last day of the exhibition is February 9th. In addition Irina will be giving lectures at 114 Mount St on two dates: Icons in the Making https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/icons-in-the-making-tickets-247111415897 Fri, 21 January 2022 18:45 – 20:30 The Symbolism of Colour https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-symbolism-of-colour-in-icon-painting-tickets-247129881127 Mon, 7 February 2022 18:45 – 20:30 
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Irina will be exhibiting many new works including her icon of St Magnus the Martyr. In addition many of her students will be exhibiting their work. In total there will be about 70 icons most of which have never been on public view before. In addition the triptych of the Archangel Gabriel, Our Lady of Tenderness and the Archangel Gabriel which were on view at Buckingham Palace in 2018 will be on display.
Icon Painting Course with Dr Irina Bradley Monday 18 to Friday 22 May 2020
Christ Church Cathedral Oxford
Cost: £400 per participant (includes all materials)
This course will introduce students to fluid egg tempera techniques with the aim of finishing a small icon depicting St Frideswide of Oxford or St George in Russo-Byzantine Style to take home. The course leader will be Dr Irina Bradley.
Dr Irina Bradley is a visiting tutor for icon painting at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, where she teaches MA level. Her work is on display in churches, places of private worship and collections worldwide. See www.irinabradley.com.
Please note: this course takes place in the Art Room which is on the second floor of the Old Library. We regret that there is no lift.
For more information and to book a place, contact jacqueline.holderness@chch.ox.ac.uk or 01865 286003.
Russo Byzantine Icon Painting Course
Tuesday 28th May to Saturday 1st June 2019
Maurice Fowler Hall, 1A Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, London
Tuesday 28th May to Saturday 1st June 2019
Maurice Fowler Hall, 1A Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, London
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This 5 day course, led by Dr Irina Bradley, is suitable for beginners and students of higher levels of ability, no previous artistic experience is required.
The course is inspired by a 14th century icon of Archangel Michael from Mount Sinai. It is designed to introduce students to the history of Byzantine art as well as the spirituality of this sacred tradition. The techniques covered are gilding, shell gold making and liquid egg tempera painting, where natural earth, mineral and lake minerals are used. Returning students may bring other icons to work on. Course Fee - £350 per person Contact The Benedictine Institute, info@benedictine-institute.org Tel: 020 8862 2156 Charity No. 242715 Benedictine Institute, 74, Castlebar Road, Ealing, London W5 2DD All materials and the use of tools are included in the price, which also covers icon boards and the use of 23/5 carat genuine gold leaf and shell gold. Registration deadline 1st March 2019 with a non-refundable £100 deposit Course venue: Maurice Fowler Hall, 1A Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, London (There are a limited number of rooms in the Ealing Abbey Guest House) |
Paint an icon in Russo-Byzantine style
Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace, 16th to 17th March 2019 - SOLD OUT
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On this course, students gain an understanding of painting techniques and the principles underlying them.
We begin with a curator led tour of the exhibition, Russia: Royalty & the Romanovs, and a brief overview of the theology of the icon in Orthodox tradition. Then with the guidance of Irina Bradley, paint an icon of the Virgin of Vladimir. Learn to use egg tempera made from earth and minerals, and decorate the painting with gold leaf. All levels of experience and ability welcome There will be a guided tour of the exhibition on 9:00 am on Saturday 16th. In collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust |
Prince & Patron
Buckingham Palace, 21st July to 30th September 2018
Irina has three icons on display as part of the exhibition to celebrate the Prince of Wales 70th birthday. The icons of the Archangel Michael, Our Lady of Tenderness and the Archangel Gabriel can be seen on the right of this image.
Icons Writing in Gold, Group Show, Conquest House Gallery, Canterbury 9th June to 28th July 2018
The Symphony of Divine Light
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Icon Painting Courses 7th to 11th May and 29th May to 2nd June 2018
Icon Painting Course Tuesday 13th March - Saturday 17th March 2018uesday 13th March 2018 – Saturday 17th of March 2018
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Irina Bradley is offering two courses in early Byzantine painting using a membrane technique, inspired by a 7th century icon of Agiosortissa also known as Madonna Advocata Nostra in May 2018. Irina Bradley will be conducting two 5 day non-residential icon painting courses from Monday 7th May to Friday 11th May and from Tuesday 29th May to Saturday 2nd June at her High Wycombe studio. The course is suitable for all levels. The students will be introduced to gilding and egg tempera painting techniques, shell gold making and oiling techniques would be demonstrated. The aim of the course is to complete a small icon of the Virgin Mary for students to take home. All 5 days courses are 350 pounds inclusive of all materials, including an icon board, genuine 23 ½ carat gold leaf and the use of tools. If you are interested in any of the courses please contact Irina by e-mail (irinabradley@hotmail.com) or telephone (01494 534974) to check the latest schedule. As courses firm up they will appear on the website. Please note that over the past few years her courses have been fully booked, so early booking is highly recommended. Irina Bradley will be conducting a 5 day non-residential icon painting course from the 13th to 17th March at her High Wycombe studio. The course is suitable for all levels. Workshop Outline To introduce students to fluid egg tempera techniques with the aim to finish a small icon depicting Saint Anastasia in Russo-Byzantine style to take home. Returning students may bring other icons to work on. Suitable for both beginners and advanced students. Techniques covered: 1. Introduction to fluid egg tempera technique and natural earth and mineral pigments. Master the basic skills in painting in liquid egg tempera. 2. Introduction to the system of highlights in icons 3. Introduction to shell gold making and painting with shell gold 4. Introduction to icon oiling technique with linseed oil Cost: 350 pounds inclusive of all materials, including an icon board, genuine 23 ½ carat gold leaf and the use of tools. To book e-mail Irina Bradley on irinabradley@hotmail.com or call: 01494 534 974. |