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Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons ©By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA /Photographs© Jerry Downs Hello my friends. One of the greatest joys I have as a writer is visiting other worlds and getting to meet the magnificent people who live there. We in the pigeon fancy have been blessed in many ways. For the most part our community is a global brotherhood that is quite unique. Our numbers worldwide are populated by peoples of every color, race, religion, political persuasion, every social and economic strata and every country known to man. We pigeon fanciers can travel this world and know that in every country wherein pigeon keepers reside, we would be welcomed. From Mongolian, to the vast Siberian planes , coast to coast across the USA and from sea to sea across Canada, from the Island Nations of Taiwan, Japan , Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia ,Thailand and the Philippines to the islands of the West Indies from the Continent of Australia to the European Nations States to the emerging African Continent and the deserts of the Middle East. We are a community, an ancient brotherhood of the spirit drawn together by the fascination we all share for the pigeon! There is a common spark or thread that animates all pigeon enthusiasts. The moment that one speaks “pigeon” the media matrix worldwide crumbles and all the artificially created divisions fall by the wayside, for we, as a brotherhood of individuals chose to focus on that which binds us, what we have in common. The pigeon provides a window to the heart and soul, the essence of a man. The pigeon binds us all and we all know instinctively what moves us all. At only 14 ounces or so, there is strength in the pigeon that far surpasses its miniature frame-a determination and appreciation for its place of birth, the home loft and family. For millennia the pigeon has been the symbol of peace and for Christians worldwide the pigeon more rightly called a “dove” and has always represented the third person of the Blessed Trinity-“The Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit”. The pigeon and love of the dove seems to bring with it understanding hope, peace and tolerance and this fascination tends to last as the “Michelangelo” of our time. A man of gargantuan artistic talent, great kindness coupled with enormous humility and great courage, a man of unparalleled determination who I am convinced , (with every brush stroke he makes) is in fact inspired and guided by “The Holy Spirit” . As a community of pigeon enthusiasts we should all revel in his “God–given gifts” I know that I am and I am also humbled by his artistic and philosophical expression. I am now pleased to be able to call him my friend actually much more, my brother a fellow pilgrim a pigeon lover and his name is Georgi Danevski! Every time Figure 1 Georgi quickly sketched the author as we spoke.

Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons · Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons ©By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA /Photographs© Jerry Downs

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Page 1: Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons · Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons ©By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA /Photographs© Jerry Downs

Georgi Danevski “Master Painter” And Lover of Pigeons

©By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA /Photographs© Jerry Downs

Hello my friends. One of the greatest joys I have as a writer is visiting other worlds and getting to meet the magnificent people who live there. We in the pigeon fancy have been blessed in many ways. For the most part our community is a global brotherhood that is quite unique. Our numbers worldwide are populated by peoples of every color, race, religion, political persuasion, every social and economic strata and every country known to man. We pigeon fanciers can travel this world and know that in every country wherein pigeon keepers reside, we would be welcomed. From Mongolian, to the vast Siberian

planes , coast to coast across the USA and from sea to sea across Canada, from the Island Nations of Taiwan, Japan , Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia ,Thailand and the Philippines to the islands of the West Indies from the Continent of Australia to the European Nations States to the emerging African Continent and the deserts of the Middle East. We are a community, an ancient brotherhood of the spirit drawn together by the fascination we all share for the pigeon!

There is a common spark or thread that animates all pigeon enthusiasts. The moment that one speaks “pigeon” the media matrix worldwide crumbles and all the artificially created divisions fall by the wayside, for we, as a brotherhood of individuals chose to focus on that which binds us, what we have in common. The pigeon provides a window to the heart and soul, the essence of a man. The pigeon binds us all and we all know instinctively what moves us all.

At only 14 ounces or so, there is strength in the pigeon that far surpasses its miniature frame-a determination and appreciation for its place of birth, the home loft and family. For millennia the pigeon has been the symbol of peace and for Christians worldwide the pigeon more rightly called a “dove” and has always represented the third person of the Blessed Trinity-“The Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit”. The pigeon and love of the dove seems to bring with it understanding hope, peace and tolerance and this fascination tends to last as the “Michelangelo” of our time. A man of gargantuan artistic talent, great kindness coupled with enormous humility and great courage, a man of unparalleled determination who I am convinced , (with every brush stroke he makes) is in fact inspired and guided by “The Holy Spirit” . As a community of pigeon enthusiasts we should all revel in his “God–given gifts” I know that I am and I am also humbled by his artistic and philosophical expression. I am now pleased to be able to call him my friend actually much more, my brother a fellow pilgrim a pigeon lover and his name is Georgi Danevski! Every time

Figure 1 Georgi quickly sketched the author as we spoke.

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we speak he always asks, “And your doves how are your doves?” Georgi’s father and uncle both loved pigeons and so does Georgi.

"Georgi Danevski is to painting what Michelangelo is to sculpting. Although they are artists centuries apart, they share the same Muse. The artistry of Georgi Danevski exuberates with

passion and power. The sheer majesty and beauty of his wild

stallion defy description. The man, the artist and the beast seem as one centrifugal force. It is as thought the supernatural wizardry of the elements: Fire, Water, Wind and Thunder surge forth in a cacophony of sound and fury." Chaiton, Helen. In Man, Civilization, Horses. Georgi Danevski.

So who is Georgi Danevski?

Georgi Danevski was born in Macedonia in 1947 and is a world renowned Master painter, iconographer, muralist and portrait painter. He completed his University studies in 1972 and then travelled to Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Russia and finally to Italy! Georgi's talents have been in high demand throughout his professional career and remain so to this day. His lifelike iconic figures and vibrant compositions don the walls and ceilings of churches across Europe and North America. He is known for his masterful interpretation of the Byzantine art form and is:

"…hailed as having elevated the art of Byzantine iconography to a new and breath-taking plateau."

Georgi is also known for his work on canvass. He has created a wide array of expressions in style with a broad and steady demand for his work across Europe and North America by private collectors, museums and galleries. Georgi has a particular passion for painting horses.

"The sheer majesty and beauty of his wild stallions defy description...No artist in history has ever captured the essence of wild horses as Georgi Danevski.

a lifetime.

Over the years I have met some really remarkable pigeon aficionados, doctors and lawyers, engineers, philosophers, captains in the military, and captains of industry, artists, farmers,

Figure 2 Georgi Danevski a Master Painter, passionate about his creations.

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bricklayers even clerics and professionally trained “opera singers”, Governors and Ministers of State but I was truly blessed one day to actually meet a lover of doves that many have referred to

Georgi’s original horse paintings are collected by many including Desmond Sanford "Sandy" Hawley, a Hall of Fame jockey, who in 1973 became the first jockey to ever win 500 races in one year. Sandy Hawley has career earnings of over $88.6 million and was one of the most successful jockeys of his generation. Hawley has had the lifelong reputation of being a gentleman and a man of honor. In 1976 he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in the United States after he broke thoroughbred racing's all-time money-winning record for a single year. To say that Hawley knows horses’ is indeed an understatement .The fact that Hawley chooses to collected original oil paintings of Georgi’s horses speaks volumes as does the fact that Georgi was commissioned by The Ontario Jockey Club to paint a portrait of champion “Wando” 2003 Canadian Triple crown winner, that is on permanent display at the Jockey Club.

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Georgi has had many individual exhibitions and is the recipient of numerous awards in Europe. Several documentaries of his life have been filmed including "Icons of God's Eyes." filmed in cooperation with the Vatican and the Italian television, in collaboration with the Film Company of San Paolo as well as "Georgi Danevski: Confessions of the Heart" – by OMNI filmed on location in Toronto and Macedonia 2010.

St Dimitrija Solunski Macedonian Orthodox Church houses what is said to be the largest mural in North America. Georgi personally views his composition as one massive fresco/mural that gives one the impression of the infinite, all encompassing, everlasting message of God! This unique fresco/ mural, covers the entirety of the walls and ceilings of the Church and estimated to measure over 600 meters squared. This original creation by Georgi Danevski depicting the entire life of Our Lord Jesus Christ through scenes from the bible were all painted

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freehand by internationally acclaimed Macedonia Master Artist Georgi Danevski for the Macedonian Orthodox Church of “St. Dimitrija Solunski” (located at 201 Main Street, Markham, Ontario L3P 1Y4 Canada. 905 471 5555) .If one considers that this amazing work was completed in only five years, which is a very short period of time given that Georgi worked on this project alone. By comparison, it took Michelangelo about 25 years and 7 apprentices to accomplish his work. The Pastor of this treasure is the Very Reverend Trajko Boseovski. Not only are the murals in this Macedonian Eastern Orthodox Church an incredible testament to the spirituality , commitment and far sightedness of Macedonian Canadians but these murals are in fact a “Cultural Treasure” for all Canadians. The people of Markham should be, rightly proud, that these magnificent Byzantine style murals are located within their jurisdiction. I have no doubt that these images, painted by the Master Georgi Danevski will one day be officially declared as what they truly are a “historic and national treasure” that all Canadians can be rightly proud and I might also add all pigeon fanciers. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerry-Downs/272931819260#!/photo.php?fbid=10150545003409261&set=a.272933179260.143377.272931819260&type=1&theater ) These incredible images should be enjoyed by all and that hopefully one day will be enjoyed and appreciated as a must see attraction and destination for visitors to Markham Ontario Canada!

Figure 3. Georgi Danevski was commissioned to paint life size Icons depicting the key elements in the life of Christ as outlined in the New Testament at the Church of St. Dimitrij in Markham Ontario Canada

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Figure 4 The murals are incredible, the colors brilliant and the Church a living Church .

Last February I called Master Photographer Jerry Downs in San Francisco and asked him to travel to Toronto to photograph the murals of Master Artist Georgi Danevski. I told Jerry that

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Georgi was “family” and that was good enough for him. Here is how Jerry described what he saw when he arrived at the Church of St. Dimitrija!

“The "pictures" of his art turned out to be on every surface of the interior of the Macedonian Orthodox Church outside Toronto, Canada. Good Lord! It was quite the experience to be in the presence of such a space. You don't have to be religious to be in awe when you first step into the church.”

Figure 5 this incredible icon of Jesus Christ was painted inside the cupola the scaffolding soared over 75 ft. From the floor to the highest point .It was a massive artistic undertaking that was not without peril given that the work was all accomplished freehand!

The style that Danevski has developed is neither “traditional Eastern Orthodox” Iconography nor Western Baroque but is rather a “synthesis of both of the styles of the “East and West” and Danevski has done this intentionally. Danevski is both a Master and a Reformer of Byzantine art. This new style has never been seen before. The walls of this Church come to life and this project has brought this specific Macedonian community closer together but it has also garnered an extremely positive response from that the greater secular community.

According to Danevski :

“My artistry celebrates life, that which is the highest and unavoidable mystery of our maker. Paralleled to life, divinity has placed time as one of God’s creations in which man enters and

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exits. Man’s existence in time is my definitive in reflection, quest of recollection, expression and love of man. I confirm that art improves life and surreptitiously weaves, step by step the movement of material culture, thus creating one spectacular creation of which is life itself. Only the soul of art can triumph over changing times. My obligation, goal and destiny through my art, is to strive for human dignity and freedom…”

When I emailed the low res images of Georgi’s Icons to Edmund Ruchinsk, Fulbright Scholar and past Vice President of the National Society of Mural Painters he had the following observations to make about the work of Master Georgi:

“Be that as it may, I can safely say that the church community that commissioned the project is to be praised for its enlightened foresight and willingness to make such a project possible through its support.

… the originals can give the viewers (both within and without the congregation) the experience of what it must have been like to be alive to see the freshly created works of Andrej Rublev, and Theophanes the Greek is Russia as well as the freshly created works of Fra Angelico, Simone Martini, Cimabue, Giotto in Italy, also noting the works of the more or less anonymous Italo-Byzantine masters.

In essence a true time travel transportation to the Age of Faith.”

“Art unchained becomes titanic. It can spread out over the landscape and take over the imagination. It can spawn and proliferate more art, until the emotional content of daily experience becomes transformed. Until we all live at a wider and deeper level.”~ Jon Rappoport,

Figure 6 Master Painter Georgi Danevski, Silvio Mattacchione and acclaimed US photographer Jerry Downs viewing the murals herein depicted. I was in awe!