Susan Bradbury and Paul Lucky, Phoenix window (1998), Sherbrooke-St Gilbert’s/ Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church, Glasgow.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Susan Bradbury and Paul Lucky, A feather on the breath of God (1998), Sherbrooke-St Gilbert’s/ Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church, Glasgow.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Sherbrooke-St Gilberts / Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church, Glasgow

Address

Sherbrooke-St Gilbert’s / Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church, 240 Nithsdale Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow, G41 5AD

Recommended by

Linda Cannon AMGP ACR (10)

Highlight

Phoenix window

Artist, maker and date

Susan Bradbury and Paul Lucky, working as the Stained Glass Design Partnership, 1998

Reason for highlighting

Shortly after a complete renovation of the building and Victorian glass, there was a massive fire that engulfed this church, which could be seen all over Glasgow. Architecture drawings and photographs were readily available to make like-for-like, but in the end, the church committees decided to opt for brand new modern glass. Sue Bradbury and Paul Lucky designed and made this unique total scheme, on the theme of “Creation”, including their neighbours’ baby’s footprints – a lovely touch. The most impressive window is on the entire North Wall, a huge red phoenix rising from the ashes. It is very rarely that a stained glass studio are given the opportunity to re-glaze an entire church in one concept.

Other comments

High up above the Phoenix window is the small window shown opposite with its simple pattern of feathers floating up, as if from the phoenix. While the new windows were being created the studio was listening to the music of Hildegard of Bingen. Her description of herself as A feather on the breath of God, inspired this window.

There is more background to the work of Stained Glass Design Partnership in the report of a lecture given by Susan Bradbury in 2011, which also has extra details of the work for Sherbrook-St Gilbert’s at: Scotland’s Glass – Report on a talk by Susan Bradbury on the-work-of-a Contemporary Stained Glass Studio

Artist/maker notes

Susan Bradbury (b. 1960) and Paul Lucky (1946-2015) met at Swansea School of Art (Stained Glass) in the 1970’s. They moved to Ayrshire and set up Glencairn Studio (Stained Glass Design Partnership), which became one of the finest studios in Scotland, for design, restoration, and conservation of stained glass. Sadly, Paul died in 2015. I loved them both, as friends and oft-times competitors for over 30 years.

Highlighted dates at this location

1998 (Go to date search)