Church of St Laurence the Martyr, Godmersham, Kent
Address
Church of St Laurence the Martyr, Canterbury Road, Godmersham, CT4 7DRTheme
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. 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 Léonie Seliger’s selection.
Highlight
Two windows at the apsidal east end of the north chapelArtist, maker and date
Léonie Seliger, 2017Reason for highlighting
The designs are a gentle celebration of nature, which recall the pattern made by exposed stones and their ‘dark mortar joints’ fixed into the limestone arch above.
The pattern of these joints reminded me of a pavement, which led me to think about how our lives are spent moving through time, sharing the journey with others, and then passing on from this earthly existence. Those fragile and transient moments can, however, cause permanent change, and leave profound and lasting imprints in our hearts. It was this contrast between transience and permanence that inspired my design.
Other comments
Within the main body of the church the three light east window, 1865, is a good example of stained glass created under the influence of the Victorian architect, William Butterfield. Although the window is formally attributed to Alexander Gibbs, it is not in his firm’s style, but instead reflects the wishes and ideals of Butterfield.
Artist/maker notes
Léonie Seliger is Director of The Cathedral Studio and responsible for the conservation of the stained glass windows of Canterbury Cathedral. Léonie also advises the Dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester on faculty applications involving windows in the churches of the dioceses. Léonie studied glass painting and design at Hadamar College in Germany, and holds an MA in Buildings Conservation from the University of York. Léonie is also an ICON accredited conservator/restorer.
Comments by
Léonie Seliger