About Iana Paun

Iana Paun (b. 1997, Moldova) is an artist working at the intersection of sacred tradition and contemporary culture. Specializing in icon painting, her practice is rooted in the techniques of 16th-century medieval art, with a focus on tempera painting and gold leaf gilding.

Trained in iconography at the Kharkov Theological Seminary (2015–2018), Iana developed a deep connection to canonical church art and its ability to convey timeless spiritual narratives. Her work blends traditional religious imagery with contemporary symbols—particularly luxury fashion logos—to explore the tension between devotion and desire, transcendence and consumption.

Using time-honored materials such as egg tempera and 24k gold leaf, Iana creates intricate compositions that feel both ancient and unnervingly current. Each piece becomes a quiet reflection on what we worship today, and how sacred meaning survives in a branded world.