12 - 20 March 2026: Canberra exhibition by iconographer Michael Galovic

Iconographer and artist Michael Galovic is presenting a new exhibition in Canberra called Kyrie Eleison (‘Lord, have mercy’), which is a most profound meditation on destruction and hope found in the Lord.

The exhibition is Micheal’s latest body of work on show at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture at Charles Sturt University, 15 Blackall St, Barton ACT 2600.

The opening is on Thursday 12th March 2026 and the exhibition will run until 20 March, open daily 10:30am-3:30pm, with the artist himself present to meet visitors and discuss the works. Then from 20th March until 16th April the exhibition can continue to be visited only by appointment.

The paintings juxtapose scenes of devastation with the solemn beauty of sacred iconography which were prompted by the shock of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, which reflect humanity’s recurring cycles of violence while pointing toward redemption in the Lord. In an article in the Catholic Weekly, Michael said the horrific and tragic events immediately struck him as artistically compelling, but his aim was never simply to dwell on tragedy. Rather than despairing at the world’s woundedness, the exhibition seeks to place them within the larger Christian story. The art was created so that we are not left simply feeling victimised.

Serbian-born Michael has lived in Australia since 1990, and is internationally recognised for uniting traditional Eastern Christian icon techniques with contemporary sacred themes. A beautiful booklet accompanying the exhibition includes reflections from well-regarded art editors, historians and theologians.

For further details and other information about his works, see his website at michaelgalovic.com.

Michael has also published a magnificent book containing his lifetime of artistic work, a retrospective, reflecting on his prolific creative output. The book is titled “Sailing Back to Byzantium” and is a work of art in its own right. Michael’s work ranges far beyond depictions of saints and explores the creative endeavour itself. Being able to present such a mature retrospective of one’s life work is a major milestone for an artist, and Michael does that reflection justice. The book is not just his own account but contains many great and interesting voices reflecting on his art.

The book has attracted high praise. Read some acclamations of it here and here. The first review is from the editor of a deeply incisive and impressive text, The Catholic Weekly, and the other review is from the artist, art historian and theologian Rod Pattenden, founder of the online publication “Art/s and Theology” (he also contributed to Michael’s book with his writing). Both are marvellous and highly informative as to what one can expect from the publication.

You can get a glimpse of the book in the short clip here, and you can watch a good short documentary of Michael at his book launch discussing his work and his book here. One of Michael’s work of the Resurrection obtained a rightful place of honour in All Saints Church in Hunters Hill (Sydney). For a video montage about that artwork see here.

You can purchase the monograph from Michael either via his website at michaelgalovic.com or by emailing him at michaelgalovic@gmail.com and he will express post you a copy wherever you are in Australia.

Michael’s website above also contains (1) further material which may interest you about his work, (2) a place to purchase copies of his book and his works, (3) newsletters, (4) video clips documenting previous exhibitions such as the recent one on his work with St George and the Dragon, and (5) much more.

You can also listen to Michael on ABC Radio talking about his work and book here. Enjoy!