The British artist, David Hockney has designed a stained glass window for Westminster Abbey celebrating the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on his iPad!
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David Hockney is one of Britain’s most well-known living artists and is famous for his works like ‘A Bigger Splash’ and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy’. He has also named a Companion of Honour, an award limited to 65 distinguished people. Hockney was approached to design the stained glass window for Westminster Abbey’s North Transept, which was sporting almost plain 19th Century glass until now. He was asked to provide a design that was more representative than figurative or heraldic.
The Vibrant Stained Glass Window of Westminster Abbey:
“The Queen’s Window” celebrates the reign of the Queen by showcasing her “deep affection for and connection to the countryside”. The stained glass window has beautiful blue skies, a winding red country path, and blossoming hawthorn. The vibrant color palette of yellows, reds, blues, pinks, oranges, and greens are Hockney’s signature style. The glass painting measures 8.5 meters high and 3.5 meters wide and was created by a team of 10 people.
The Queen’s Window. Image: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
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The art may be similar to Hockney’s other artworks of Yorkshire, his home county; however, this is his first attempt with stained glass. He used an iPad to design the artwork, as it is backlit like a stained glass window. Then, he worked with stained glass artists and craftspeople from Barkey Studio to turn his iPad design into reality.
“Stained glass has always been seen as a lesser art in the art world, so for him to put it on the map as a 21st-century art is a real plus for our profession,” said Helen Whittaker, the glass artist who worked on the window.
The Queen’s Window. Image: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Inspired by French artist, Henri Matisse’s windows, Hockney designed the Queen’s Window for Westminster Abbey in block colors. He used the traditional techniques of glass and lead in making his stained glass window. Glass paints, enamels, plating, and acid etching were all avoided.
“It is wonderful to have something which is utterly contemporary from one of the greatest artists of the Queen’s reign,” said John Hall, Dean of Westminster.
The window will be dedicated formally by the Dean in the presence of the artist, his family, friends, and invited guests on Tuesday 2nd October at 11:30 am.
