Our Lady of Lourdes: Wanstead

This challenging modern design goldwork of the Holy Trinity was commissioned by the Very Rev. Patrick Sammon for Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Wanstead, as part of the re-ordering of the church. The building dates to the early part of the twentieth century, with neo-gothic arches and some listed building artefacts. The priest was faced with the task of developing it in the spirit of Vatican II for a London congregation. The re-ordering was planned and executed by architects Richard Hurley & Associates.

The Blessed Sacrament was transferred to a new tabernacle (by David John, Cheltenham) in the north aisle, and the gold Trinity, which srikes a balance between modern and traditional interpretation, commissioned for the large blank wall behind it. The work is three metres high on marine plywood and took several months to complete.

Gold Wall:
Blessed Sacrement Chapel, Edgeware.

This large church, dedicated to St. Antony of Padua, is in Garrat Road, on the corner into Edgeware Road. The Blessed Sacrament chapel is south facing. As you can see from the small inset, the original chapel was rather uninviting, despite the fact that a roster of parishioners spend a long time there daily, praying in front of the sacrament, which is exposed all day, after morning Mass.

The wood panels were a veneer similar to office furniture, which made it look like a nineteen-fifties office and the specially commissioned four carved evangelist panels were lost in the poor woodwork. After discussion with the parish priest, a textured gold wall was proposed. This was made of thin plywood panels, made off the premises in sections and attached to the walls with battens. The four evangelist panels were set into separate wood panels in a way similar to a Gospel book, flanking the reserved sacrament - this proclaims visually the Lord emerging from the Gospels. The gold shows us that this is the most precious thing in the whole world. The wall is real gold leaf - imitation leaf quickly oxidises and grows dull. The softer raked gold of the oil gild on the wall contrasts with the shining burnished water gilding of the two ‘gospel panels,’embossed with a regular pattern ( a small cross).

The textured gold focuses the light from the side window in a rippling effect changing throughout the day and evening and providing a restful but also interesting background for the parishioner taking his turn in praying in the chapel, and turns the thoughts towards the ‘true light who enlightens every man coming into the world.’ Close ups and more technical information are available as a .pdf on the members pages.

Flame Of The Trinity:
'AWAKEN' Business Premises.

Although not a church commission this shows the growing importance of interface between the religious and secular sphere, where a visual image can bring the spiritual quest into situations of business and commerce in which a traditional religious image would be out of place. This commission was completed for the consulting room of one of the Awaken business coaching and consultancy team. The consultant has been in stress management for many years, working for a number of corporate and individual clients. Her work has made her aware of how many people in business have aspirations which are achievable, but remain unfulfilled. ‘Awaken’ focusses on creating effective teams and enabling individuals to fulfil professional and personal goals.