Page 9 - maxim art monograph

In one particular painting, the canvas captures the unassuming sophistication of nonchalant youth with remarkable success. It’s intriguing how this painting manages to express a genuine relationship between two friends, even though they are depicted with their backs turned to each other. Yet, the es- sence of their FRIENDSHIP is impressively conveyed on the canvas, resonating with tremendous convic- tion.
In another work portraying an Elder in Constan- tinople, the painting’s triumph lies not in overtly proclaiming joy and love, but in subtly living these emotions in an understated manner. This subtlety is a hallmark of the artist’s character, which is authen- tically and spontaneously expressed in his work. This masterpiece suggests that a new language for Ortho- doxy has been found and is already being articulated by a few. It heralds a promising future for our Ico- nography.
Bishop Maxim should proceed with his artistic journey fearlessly. We may not be the ones to cause a ‘big bang’ in the realm of art, but God has appointed us as forerunners, paving the way for the Lord’s paths. This responsibility and privilege are beauti- fully encapsulated in the essence of these works.”
In one of his paintings, Bishop Maxim presents a suit in ‘heavenly’ colors, unlike anything found in a typical clothing store. The jacket, with its warm, brownish-red structure, is accentuated by a collar and shoulders emerging through a blend of green- ish, yellowish, and azure-turquoise brushstrokes, resulting in a miraculous creation! This ‘miracle jacket’ elegantly frames a slender, noble neck and a
face bathed in direct light. The character’s eyes are ‘protruding’ or ecstatic, seeing something beyond our perception, rendering him voiceless in his ecsta- sy. His hair, along with his mustache and beard, is tinged with bluish strands, forming a decorative frame around his brightly illuminated, ecstatic face.
In his structural approach, Bishop Maxim cap- tures the essence of garments through a sparkling interplay of colors, creating a vibrant and dynamic photostructure. His technique diverges from tradi- tional painting methods, where dark lines typically define the structure. Instead, in Maxim’s work, it is the bright lines that craft the intriguing structure of the painting. This method gives his artwork a fiery, almost volcanic quality, reminiscent of a volcano rousing from its slumber and tracing the path of its molten lava. His use of color and light imbues the painting with a sense of loving fire, echoing the idea of ‘the light that enlightens every man coming into the world.’ This unique approach to painting struc- ture not only defines the physical forms within the artwork but also adds a profound depth of meaning and emotion.
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If sails had souls, if little houses brimmed with life and laughter, if the sea’s children were in con- stant chatter, all these elements would coalesce into a painting like Bishop Maxim’s. Only God knows how deeply he experiences these scenes in his being, call- ing them forth to “write” with brush strokes the glo- ry of the Creator.
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Theotokos (unfinished), acrylic on wooden board, 2021
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