AN ICON themed exhibition will take place at the Acons Gallery at Monkton Arts in Ryde from January 7 to 18.

The show, Images of Byzantium, will consist of 16 icons painted by local artist Stuart Robinson.

Thirteen were painted to illustrate the booklet Icons of the Great Feasts.

The centre-piece of the exhibition is a fully-gilded 18th century Moscow prototype of the crucifixion.

Stuart said: "This is a wonderful location for an exhibition and I'm very much looking forward to having my work on display there.

"I shall be giving an illustrated talk at Monkton Arts on Friday, January 10, under the title Icons: What are they? What is their role in worship? How are they painted?"

Tickets to the talk are £2 each, with all proceeds going towards a March fundraising event in aid of the Island's Pop-up Soup Kitchen, a charity which gives homeless people access to a hot, nutritious meal.

Dawn Fidler, manager of Monkton Arts, said: "We are delighted our opening exhibition of the year will be one of Byzantine icons by Stuart.

"It is an out-of-the-ordinary sort of exhibition, which should prove to be most fascinating — we are excited to be hosting it."