Stained glass has a thousand-year-long tradition and an entrenched reputation as one of the most conservative art mediums to ever exist. Here are five contemporary artists whose work shows that stained glass art is still relevant and thriving.
Brian Clarke is a British artist who has undoubtedly revolutionized stained glass art. After he attended a stained glass course at university in the 70s and learned the rules of the century-long tradition, he reappropriated it and made it his own. Clarke is the first stained glass artist who has proven that this art form has the potential to go far beyond its ecclesiastical roots. His work ranges from classical stained glass one might see in a church to abstract, symbolic pieces resembling works of modernist and contemporary art.
Christopher Janney is an artist and sound architect who stands behind the massive interactive stained glass installation at Miami International Airport. While Janney is mostly known for his sound art projects, his interactive piece for Miami International Airport is considered a major landmark in his career. He also made colored glass installations for other US airports, for example, “Circling” at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Kehinde Wiley has received multiple mentions on our blog before, and he deserves just as many, if not more, for his revolutionary work. Known primarily for his large-scale paintings depicting Black people in the style of European royal portraits, he has also created some outstanding works in stained glass. Wiley’s ecclesiastic-style figurative art piece “Saint Remi” is made from colored glass and depicts a young man with a halo around his head and a golden staff in his hand, who is releasing a dove.
Lindsey Mendick’s 2022 solo exhibition “Off With Her Head” featured a life-sized sculpture of a woman praying on her knees, surrounded by lit-up windows made from colored glass. The artist dabbled into the religious tradition surrounding stained glass to illustrate the horrible injustice women faced throughout history.
The unique work created by Dominic Wilcox is a stained glass sculpture. Titled “Stained Glass Driverless Sleeper Car of the Future,” it is a futuristic vehicle prototype that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, which combines Wilcox’s love for traditional art forms and technology.
These five artists prove that even art forms and mediums that are thought to be restrictive and outdated can be revitalized in the right hands.
Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions face a stubborn financial problem: collections need stable environments even as energy, maintenance, and staffing costs rise. Cutting utility use without understanding conservation risks can damage the very objects these organizations exist...
A mechanical watch turns the steady release of stored energy into a display that can be read at a glance. Beneath the dial, gears, springs, and oscillating parts create a miniature performance whose precision depends on carefully...
High-end architecture now favors spaces that feel good to inhabit, age gracefully, and respond to everyday needs. Dramatic forms and premium finishes still have their place, but comfort, environmental quality, and flexibility increasingly shape the design brief....
A signature jewelry style often begins with the pieces you reach for several times a week. Earrings are especially influential because they sit close to the face, catch the light, and can change the tone of an...
A bold pair of shoes can give a basic outfit a clear point of view. Color, shape, and texture draw the eye downward, making familiar pieces such as jeans, plain dresses, and tailored pants feel more intentional....
Booking a facial can mean very different things depending on what you want from the experience. Sometimes, you simply want an hour to relax and give your skin a little extra attention. Other times, you may be...
Discover. Reflect. Connect.
Follow how art moves across studios, cities, markets, and ideas. Essays, interviews, and perspectives on contemporary art, design, and art history.
