Steven Graham - In Glass

Dunfermline Abbey Residency

This image shows all of the pieces created by me in response to my ‘Making History’ residency at Dunfermline Abbey, and comprises of my Dunfermline Abbey Triptych and two bespoke candelabras displaying 50 mini windows designed by Boys Brigade and Young Scots participants. They are shown on display in the

Dunfermline Abbey Residency

The first panel of the triptych tells the story of Queen Margaret’s transition through to Saint Margaret.<br>Reflecting her links with Benedictine Canterbury Cathedral, the 8 key stages of her life depicted in the style and muted natural colour palette of the Bayeux Tapestry. <br>The central disc is a kiln carving based on the Dunfermline Abbey ‘pilgrims badge; rectangular pieces of lead hammered into a relief of Saint Margaret seated with sceptre and gospel. <br>The fine text is Turgot’s poem inscribed in St Margaret’s gospel. I used photosensitive vinyl resist to achieve the sandblasting on blue flashed glass.

Dunfermline Abbey Residency

This panel celebrates the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.<br>This panel captures the conferring City status on Dunfermline as the 8th City of Scotland; depicting the churches associated with the cities. The restricted palette of the paint’s echoes painted postcards, popular at the time of the Queen’s Coronation. <br>The etched border wording are those used to formally declare the City, its ‘Letters Pending’, on a mauve flashed glass to reflect the Jubilee colour.<br>The central disc is a two layer etching of the Great Seal of Scotland, executed to mimic the City’s significant Damask linen history. <br>

Dunfermline Abbey Residency

This panel celebrates the Abbey’s association with Scotland’s monarchy. The border embraces the Lion Rampant in colours and details and was executed using acid etched flash glass.<br>The central view of the Abbey is painted 1960’s mouth blown glass using traditional high fire paints and enamels.<br>Surrounded the Abbey are 9 illuminated letters, each being the initial of their respective monarch, and individually designed to capture an element of their life stories and executed in traditional high fire paint, enamels and silver stained, with the letter shapes being reinforced by acid etched reliefs, inset with 23.5 carat gold leaf.