Thomas Denny: East Window
The theme of the window is ‘seeing’, interpreted here as “seeing the glory of God, and the epiphanies in ordinary and extraordinary moments in life”. The window bursts with stories, both biblical and local, with figures standing “transfixed by the mystery and meaning of their surroundings”. The story of the Transfiguration is expressed in the centre of the window, while renewal of sight, actual or metaphorical, is the subject of other scenes. Landscape recurs throughout, depicted with an intensity that evokes the work of Samuel Palmer. A continuous horizon suggests Salisbury Plain, scattered with clumps of trees and barrows; nature is abundant; and the ground is scattered with a rich layering of time.
Ecclesiart is an online project that raises awareness of significant works of modern and contemporary art since 1920 in UK churches and cathedrals.
The selected works represent the diversity of high quality church commissions and reflect developments in artistic practice and ecclesiastical art and design. You can explore the collection using the tiles below or by using the Ecclesiart map.
We seek to encourage increased responsibility towards works which may be under-appreciated or at risk and hope that this selection of works provides inspiring and challenging examples of art in churches useful to any parish or individual wishing to commission a new work.
We welcome nominations of new works to be added to Ecclesiart. Please email us with a short text about why you think a work of art should be included with a short theological reflection on the work and its context (no longer than 150 words) and if possible please include images. Please note that we do not accept nominations from artists for their own work.
All permanent works shortlisted for the Award for Art in a Religious Context are added to Ecclesiart. For all other nominations, the Director and trustees of Art and Christianity reserve the right to select works which they determine as meeting the criteria of aptness to context, artistic and technical merit and appropriate theological meaning.