National Fern Collection, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Glasgow
Address
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UETheme
Overview
There are a number of artists who have contributed to this website through their individual selections of 10 fine examples of British stained glass windows. While all naturally refrained from recommending their own work in the 10 selected, they have been asked to choose a window of their own that they feel reflects their personal work. This is Douglas Hogg’s selection.
Highlight
‘Photosynthesis’ sited throughout the National Fern CollectionArtist, maker and date
Douglas Hogg, 2008Reason for highlighting
The installation Photosynthesis is sited throughout the National Fern Collection and was commissioned by Glasgow City Council in 2008. Comprising eight three metre tall composite glass slabs, free-standing and layered, it presents divided light (spectrum) denoting the light/chemical exchange of photosynthesis which transforms daylight into growth matter, the sole common factor of Earthly Existence. The central white / neutral slab (Life-cycle) serves the same core function as the glass-encased Angel of Light Icon while the dispersed transparent coloured slabs form the spectral scatter. All are distributed amongst the ancient ferns displayed throughout the recently restored Victorian glasshouse. A ninth slab stands at the entranceway.
Artist/maker notes
Douglas Hogg studied Stained Glass with Drawing and Painting at the Edinburgh College of Art 1966-1972, becoming head of the Stained and Architectural Glass degree course there from 1979-2000.
Solo exhibitions include Past and Present Futures at Glasmalerei Peters Gallery, Paderborn, Germany and Non-Commissioned Offerings at the Cochrane Gallery, London. Invited group shows include Glass, Light and Space at the British Crafts Council Gallery, London, and Lumière du Monde, currently showing at the Galerie du Vitrail, Chartres, France, a touring European collection.
Commissioned works include a Staircase Wall Installation at the Edinburgh City Chambers and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Window at the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in Central London 2012. He was installed as a Freeman of London in 2007 and in 2016 was given recognition by the Radcliffe Trust for his contribution to Glass in Architecture.
Further information see Douglas Hogg website and the Edinburgh College of Art – Transition Exhibition Catalogue PDF which also details the work of some of the students he influenced while teaching at the ECA.
Comments by
Douglas Hogg