The statement is - False.
The Orthodox icons, paintings, and sculptures, can be interpreted in multiple ways, but it will be wrong to say that they are merely the expression of an artist's love for the church.
Some of the artist are indeed deep believers, and do express their faith through their art, but some just do it for the money, and are not even religious, but instead just use their talent and earn for living. Also, the icons in the Orthodox Christianity are not a symbol of respect and love for the church, but instead the people have icons of some saints at their home as a traditional thing, as a saint protector of the home, or a saint that has the same name as someone in the home to bring good luck and welfare.
In general, we can say that the Orthodox Christians do not really have love towards the church or the priests, but only in God. They also do not go often to church or pray to the icons at home.
