Passion Window, North Rose
8.0' diameter
Baptism and Communion Triptychs
approx. 10.0' w. by 11.0' h. each
Faith, Hope and Charity, Side Aisle Windows
three approx. 8.5' w. by 8.0' h. each
This was one of those projects that had destiny written all over it: inspired architecture and a great client that wanted expansive transparency in their new stained glass windows. What an inspiration for me as an artist. Not sure why, but somehow I failed to convey my vision to the committee. As I look back over the studies I included in my proposal, my heart sinks when I am reminded of what might have been. The Cross Window (not shown) is formed by masonry openings above the Altar and together with the Round Passion Window at the rear of the Nave are the Alpha and Omega on the north-south axis of the Sanctuary. The Passion Window was inspired by the Passion Flower, a wildflower that is native throughout the Americas that is so-named for its striking symbolism of the Passion of Christ.
Two sets of triptych windows, Baptism and Communion, would have terminated the east and west Transepts. They rely on a light airy palette of French mouthblown opal glass and variously textured clear and lightly tinted glass. Their designs recall the descending dove of the Holy Spirit and wheat and grapes of Communion. The parallel shafts of glass that streak down through the triptychs radiate from a center point created by the peak or ridge-line of the transept ceiling. These “shafts” then would have reappeared in three larger Side Aisle Windows, Faith, Hope and Charity.
The Side Aisle Windows enter the Sanctuary at floor level via the east transept and look out into a landscaped courtyard. Like the Baptism and Communion, the Side Aisle Windows would have celebrated landscape, sky and light with an airy palette of filmy opals and textured tints. Faith, Hope and Charity are also further linked by ripples radiating from the Hope window outward into Faith and Charity that flank it.
Materials: (proposed) German mouthblown glass, French opal glass, Austrian lead-crystal prisms, lenses, dichroic glass, lead, solder