Local Artist's Exhibition "A Chorus of Angels" at Christ Church

Christina Saj paints angels, although you might not recognize them as such right away.  She has mastered the technique of Byzantine Icon painting and combines this style with her contemporary, geometric sensibility to create pieces that are bright celebrations of spiritually based subjects and themes. 

Not surprisingly, Saj often shows up in church.

An installation called "A Chorus of Angels" is on view at Christ Church (74 Park Avenue in Glen Ridge) through the Epiphany (January 6, 2012). 

Saj grew up in Montclair and lived in Bloomfield before moving to Cedar Grove.  With simultaneous shows in Atlanta, she acknowledges this time of year to be especially conducive to showing her work.

“Icons are windows on the spirit. Their goal is to provide space, time and an environment for reflection.  Christmas is an especially important and wonderful time, but also one fraught with anxiety, pressures and a lot of noise.  It is the hope to create a contemplative space to aid quiet and reflection,” she says.

Saj described this show coming together spontaneously, through a congregant at Christ Church that was familiar with her work.  In an attempt to create an environment that facilitates more meaningful connections, Saj says they have also recently placed a labyrinth at the back of the sanctuary to give parishioners a meditative space in which to pursue prayer. 

However, Saj’s art does not feel anything like prayer – which is to say, quiet and solitary.  They are bold, colorful works that feel more like dancing – her own interpretation of what spirituality might mean in contemporary society.

“My paintings betray a fascination with geometric abstraction, a preference for modernism and an acute awareness of historical context.  Every generation searches for its own vocabulary. I feel that one must assimilate knowledge of the past in order to elucidate the present,” she says.

Reflection.  Interpretation.  Contemplation.  Renewal.  The paintings provide a timely offering as we begin the new year.

A Chorus of Angels, on view until January 6  - Christ Church, 74 Park Ave, Glen Ridge, NJ, 973-743-5911.  See more of Saj’s work at www.christinasaj.com