The theme of ‘Material Dialogues’ chosen for the 2026 exhibition really resonates with me. A great title which opens up all sorts of possibilities. However it was only when the group visited the exhibition venue – St. Margaret’s Gallery in Norwich – that inspiration truly struck.
St Margaret’s is a former church with high ceilings, white walls and full of natural light. My eyes were drawn to the single coloured stain glass window which casts an array of colour onto the floor and walls (and the viewer) as the light streams through.
Thinking about ‘dialogues’ I can imagine Christian worshippers of the past using this window as a way of opening up a conversation with God. There are lots of biblical quotes which refer to light and they are universally seen as positive. Psalm 21.1 “The Lord is my light, and my salvation”
That the light is reflected back through the window forms part of a two-way dialogue too.
Stained glass windows also tell stories, a way of communicating to the congregation before many could read. How can I tell a story, open up a dialogue, in my own response to this space? The choice of materials has always been an important part of my work. They come in a variety of weights, opacity and translucency, as well as colour. Some fabrics absorb light, some reflect, others shine and shimmer. For this work I wish to capture these different reflective effects to create work filled with light, colour and JOY
Whilst sorting through my stash of materials I found some eco-printed silk. It shone and picked up the light so beautifully. Now in our more secular society people often cite a love of nature as a way of finding joy and a deeper meaning to life. Nature, and also art, can almost be considered to be the new religion, to some. So the series title “Natural Light” is conceived.
Combining eco-printed silks with other materials designed to shine, refect, absorb and gather light and create contemporary stained-glass inspired panels. These will be hung like banners in St Margaret’s, hopefully capturing some of the light from the windows.
It will be good to hear your comments!