Scottish artist to design stained glass window for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

28.07.2011

Scottish artist to design stained glass window for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

An artist from Gordon in Berwickshire has been chosen to design a new stained glass window in honour of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Douglas Hogg has been commissioned to create the new window after winning a national competition organised by The Duchy of Lancaster to celebrate the 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Judged by a panel of art experts, including members of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, his winning design will be installed at The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy next year. It will complete a series of stained glass windows commissioned for the Chapel to replace those destroyed during World War II.

Douglas has had a long and successful career as a stained glass artist. Examples of his work can be seen in churches and public buildings across Scotland, including recent large installations at Edinburgh City Chambers and Glasgow Botanic Gardens. He also executed the Cardinal Newman memorial set of windows at Oriel College Oxford in 2001.

Speaking about the achievement, Douglas said: "I am obviously delighted and honoured to have been selected to produce this commemorative piece of work. I wanted to create something that was relevant to the occasion but also unique, so spent several months researching potential design ideas, including studying the archives at Lancaster House.

"My chosen theme embraces continuity, heritage and inheritance by reflecting the key changes seen in the Monarchy throughout the 60 years of our Queen's reign. It includes The Queen's Arms, symbols for the Church of England, the Armed Forces and the Commonwealth, as well as a reference to Her Majesty's fondness for horse-riding and dogs.  However, it is perhaps the less predictable elements which give the concept a unique slant on the Monarchy's associations and recent developments.

"In addition, antique glass, colour, some dichroic surfaces and optical lenses will be used in the composition to dramatically capture the light, ensuring the window makes a unique impression from both the outside and inside."

Paul Clarke, CEO and Clerk of The Duchy of Lancaster, added: "Douglas was one of four artists shortlisted to design this window to commemorate The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. He submitted an exceptional design which uses a range of stained and painted glass techniques to create a traditional, yet dramatic appearance that I hope will be enjoyed by Her Majesty The Queen and visitors to The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy for many years to come."

Born in Edinburgh, Douglas graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1971 after studying stained glass and drawing and painting. He became head of the College's stained/ architectural glass course in 1979, where he remained in post until 2000. Douglas is a Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, a sought-after lecturer and regular contributor to national and international exhibitions.