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Salon No. 2

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Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring partial view by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1997 Pyroengraving with color on a harpsichord lid ("Pyrogravure colorée") Piece done as a mural to hang on the wall above the artist's son Oliver's harpsichord. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Eve by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1998 Pyroengraving with color on a wood panel, 18 in. by 30 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur un tableau à bois) There are two--both ancient--interpretations of Eve from the original biblical story in Genesis. Unlike the other (better known) interpretation represented in an earlier work the artist entitled Eve (see 2005 WOM), the interpretation the artist gave this later work shows Eve as the mother not only of humanity but also of the human quest for discovery and knowledge. The apple is the representation of the knowledge that sprang forth because of "her sin." Symbolic serpents—in her hair, on her cheek, around the frame —are cast here as the trigger of events by the artist and likened to the snake—as conduit of life and death—in the Saint Exupéry story The Little Prince. Photograph courtesy of the artist

Biologie (Biology) by Sophia Albu Ionita Pyroengraving with color on a wood panel, 18 in. by 24 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur un tableau à bois) Photograph courtesy of the artist

Libera Me Domine De Morte Aeterna by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1993 Pyroengraving with color on a wood door, 32 in. by 80 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur une porte à bois) Image courtesy of the artist's family

Self-Portrait by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1997 Pyroengraving with color on a wood panel, 18 in. by 30 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur un tableau à bois) Image courtesy of the artist's family

Magic Flute by Sophia Albu Ionita Pyroengraving with color on a wood panel, 18 in. by 24 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur un tableau à bois) Photograph courtesy of the artist

St. Mary and Christ before coloring by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1997 Pyroengraving on a wood panel, 18 in. by 24 in. (Pyrogravure sur un tableau à bois) Image courtesy of the artist

St. Mary and Christ by Sophia Albu Ionita, 1997 Pyroengraving with color on a wood panel, 18 in. by 24 in. (Pyrogravure colorée sur un tableau à bois) Image courtesy of the artist

Originally from Romania, Sophia Albu Ionita—actress, linguist, writer, teacher, and visual artist—showed her deep love of iconography and symbolism in every aspect of her art and her life.

This second salon in the E-Museum has been dedicated posthumously to showing additional works by her, including some of her more recent works. Sophia died 28 November 2004. Still later, another exhibit—Salon No. 3—was added when photographs of additional works by the late artist were found.

Introducing the artist, her philosophical views on her art, and her flamboyant pyroengraving with color on large wood panels and wood doors, is a fully illustrated article entitled Pyrogravure Colorée by Sophia Albu Ionita (published in the November–December 1997 issue of the Woodcarvers Online Magazine (WOM), linked here)

Displaying more of her works from the seven years following her introduction is a second illustrated article entitled Sophia Albu Ionita: In Memoriam (published in a posthumous homage to the artist in the January–February 2005 issue of WOM, linked here).

On exhibit in New York City from September 2007 to June 2008 at the Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery are four works by Sophia, which can be seen at this link.

As of October 2007, a slide show of Sophia Albu Ionita's works is now available, as well, at the following My Art Space link. This site also offers a zoom feature for viewing individual works in greater detail.

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