Vivian Imbruglia

Vivian Imbruglia is an artist from Southern California practicing the ancient art of iconography. Although Vivian worked in many varieties of art throughout her life, it was in 2006 when she unexpectedly discovered iconography, thus merging her artist abilities with her exploding Catholic faith. ... moreVivian Imbruglia is an artist from Southern California practicing the ancient art of iconography. Although Vivian worked in many varieties of art throughout her life, it was in 2006 when she unexpectedly discovered iconography, thus merging her artist abilities with her exploding Catholic faith. Iconography has become more than her profession, it is her ministry.

Vivian learned the traditional techniques of writing icons from several master iconographers, but has since developed her own style using those same traditional techniques often applied to more contemporary realistic images. Vivian's commissioned art work, both traditional icons and more contemporary Sacred Images, can be found in churches, abbeys, and private chapels throughout the United States and abroad. Included are two different icons which have found their way to the Vatican, one given directly as a gift to the Holy Father Pope Francis. Vivian's icons are on public display in many beautiful churches and shrines including St. John Cantius and the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, both in the Chicago area, as well as St. Vincent De Paul in Houston. Vivian's commissioned work also includes a book cover (on Purgatory) as well as an inset for a book on the Champions of the Rosary. Vivian's icon which celebrated the Year of Consecrated life found great popularity with the religious, but her most widely disseminated icon as been an image done to promote and celebrate the Year of Mercy, prints of the latter which were used by many parishes and dioceses across North American and beyond.

Vivian has done many traditional icons of well known prototypes, but has been more in demand for writing original images which allows her free license to combine the important symbolism with figures that immediately capture the viewer's attention. In particular Vivian puts great emphasis on the eyes in her images as that aspect most effectively draws in the viewer, encouraging prayerful reflection and meditation. As with all traditional iconography Vivian never signs the displayed part of her work, instead including on the back the iconographer's notation, "Written by the hand of Vivian Imbruglia." At the same time Vivian has developed her own tradition of writing somewhere within every piece the letters "AMDG" which stands for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, explaining her ultimate purpose as working for the Greater Glory of God.



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