Michael by Oleg Korolev
A master of 21st century sacred art, Oleg Korolev generously shares and discusses his latest work, ‘Michael’ with Lila. The discussion makes reference to positive and negative theology, therefore, links have been embedded to wikipedia to explain more esoteric terms, and the reader is recommended to read something on negative theology beforehand to grasp a meaning of the terms.
Oleg Korolev – “Michael”, Oil, Canvas 215cmx150cm 2009
Once we pronounce the name “Michael”, which means “Who is like God?”, we ask the challenging question, which directly relates to the problem of evil.
A goodness, and an evil, are two concepts from Positive theology and philosophy. Sometimes we think that this is only the way of thought, which can exist…
A “Positive theology” without a “Negative theology” very often creates idols ( and the idolatry it is a reasons of all wars). Via the narrowing of our perception to the everlasting circle of the dualistic conflict, we establish a basis of war. This same process is evident also in philosophy, ideology and politics. A man believes in his conceptions as ‘real things’, idolizes them via an absolutization, and then associates himself with the own mentally constructed “absolute values” and the association becomes a total aberration of a consciousness.
This is a state of an everlasting non-freedom (even if a man fought for ‘good side”, for “good guys” or even “for God”, which he has only imagined)… In this total aberration, a person cannot see that confrontation and war is only in his own human mind and nowhere else.
So to give a hint to the approach and my own understanding of my art work, I would also offer to recall ( or to read ) the text of Mystical theology by St. Dionysus the Areopagite).
St. Dionysus the Areopagite’s Negative ( Apophatic ) theology gives a way to the liberation from the idols, born by the ordinary misinterpretation of Cataphatics. Knowing it, it is possible to realize how do I consider the angelic order…
It is good to imagine Angels as the rays of the Sun of Mind, – God. The Sun is shining to us and destroys the darkness in us and around of us, but at the same time we should not forget that God Himself it is an Absolute, beyond all the conventional borders, base of our own consciousness!
1 Corinthians 13 12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.”
When one sees that the “dimly” conventional borders between man and God is an illusion, which because of the realizing disappears, then we get an answer to the question : Who is like God?
- Oleg Korolev, Jan 2009
Links
www.koro-art.com
The Contemplative Visionary Art of Oleg Korolev
Hi,
I’m one of your friends from Facebook. Question: Is an atheist negative theology?
How do you relate to the wars in the middle east which is where the BIBLE centered itself?
Your art is very Russian, and as such very enjoyable, however how do you plan to extend yourself globally, so that others may share your vision and intellectual reasoning?
“Question: Is an atheist negative theology?”
Please read the text more attentively.
“How do you relate to the wars in the middle east which is where the BIBLE centered itself?”
It was Papist centered, I do not relate to the religion.
“how do you plan to extend yourself globally”
I do not plan.
The text below was sent in an e-mail to Oleg after seeing his work. I’d like to share it here:
Oleg…
Congratulations on the accomplishment of your Micheal painting!
You’ve managed to reach new heights with this work, treating such an epic subject with an equal balance of light & energy, movement and composition. I greatly admire your ability to render the movement of the divine light through both geometric haloes and flowing webs of energy. There are, indeed, many forms of light to admire in this painting, from the shadowy light of the saints in the outer darkness to the overwhelming brilliance at the centre.
My eye has also taken much delight in the smaller figures – the hand with a divine flower, another hand with the cross in the palm, and the face of the blessed child peering out at us. So much for the eye to discover and delight in! I find it interesting that you chose to focus our vision on the angels of light, and left out of your composition the demons or ‘fallen angels’ who St. Micheal usually combats. Yes – let us stay focussed on the light!
…
Let me conclude by offering you my thanks. Through your efforts, Visionary art is reaching new heights of expression, and I feel blessed that a being such as yourself will labour so hard to bring some light and spiritual understanding into this (at times, all-too-dark) world!
Blessings,
The intensity of this painting is from another level. Truly a master piece of visionary art accompanied by words of wisdom from the maker.
As an artist I have felt related to the style and certainly been influenced by some of your previous paintings. Now seeing a painting like this, gives me new hope and inspiration.
Thank you, Oleg
Oleg, this is so beautiful it burned through my eyes and melted all the bones in my body. Wow. I feel so blessed to be able to see your work as it climbs the mountain of mastery.
wounderfuly done, i wish i had the time, inspired to do more,
Truly Divine!!
Feel the Light…. the Power… of the masculine creative force coming from this masterpiece … very healing! Michael the Angel!
multi-dimensional …. instantly transports us to our cellular memory remembering we are composed of condensed high intensity Light Energy.
Blessings of Gratitude.
Peace,
Carrie
….and honor the Blackness of Divine Mystery:
http://www.matthewfox.org/sys-tmpl/theblackmadonna/
wow!Oleg ..how…grrrr (no words)???
mmm..i dont read the explain just see it and i feel a extasis inside me…
woooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
i am drunk of happiness with this image..
thank u oleg amazing food for the soul
u make me dream!
now completly yours
Juana Lobo (Juana Wolf)
Magnificent Creation! … Masterpiece of fantastic and visionary … a journey through their ways of the Spirit!
Magnifique Création !…Obra Maestra del Arte fantastico y visionario…un vraie voyage par les voies de l’esprit !
YES, I can very well see how there is a danger of idolatry–of identifying with archetypes of creations of the mind, and then causing all kinds of conflict. History is long and bloody from this massive misunderstanding.
BUT there is also the danger of identifying with its negative counterpart isn’t there? Of the abstract–the ‘Oneness’, the ‘not that not this’
When people report very powerful life-changing Near Death Experiences, nearly always it involves images–beings, scenarios, life reviews, and the central encouragement is LOVE
We actually live in a world of image. I see you, the tree, the cloud, the anima-l, I feel, and imagine, and dream–interspersed is the space–the negative, but it is all a dynamic whole, isn’t it?
The Miracle of the Archangel Michael-Michael in Hebrew meaning “Who is like God?” Michael the Guardian of the Church, the patron of holy souls. Michael reaches to souls near death and saves them, hence frustrating Satan.
“The Holy House of God venerates you
as her guardian and protector;
to you the Lord has entrusted
the souls of the redeemed
to be led into Paradise.”
And you Oleg reach my soul with your divine art. I hope you can realize how much I love your artwork !
May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your life.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for your precious friendship!
Furthermore good luck and much love to you!
Carmen (Germany-facebook)
This painting belongs in a great museum.