I made this work for The University of Winchester in 2000, when it was known as King Alfred’s College. The architects Feilden Clegg had designed a three storey staircase fin for the library’s new extension that was clad in glass panels, a total of 156 panels covering an area of 52 square metres. I hadn’t been back to see the work in the intervening twenty three years, but knew it was one of my best commissions as I remember the moment when the first panel was screwed to the framework at the bottom of the staircase, it looked great and I knew the whole thing would work. The head of estates at the college wrote at the time,
“Thank you very much for your recent visit to the College in completing your amazing work of art. We all love it, and I’m delighted to report that amongst a community of 5000 students and staff I’ve yet to hear one negative comment!”
Staircase fin at The Martial Rose Library, University of Winchester
Above and below: photographs from my recent visit. Some of the lights aren’t working and there is some dust inside, but otherwise the glass looks absolutely great - properly intergrated into the architecture and with beautiful colours, textures and details in the enamel. It was fabricated, like a lot of my work from that period, at Proto Studios, but all the framework, fittings and lighting were designed by the architects.
The recent visit however was rather depressing. The library is having an overhaul and the central staircase is being retired, with the glass going into storage. Against my better judgement I wrote to complain - the decision had already been made on technical rather than aesthetic grounds with no chance of it being overturned. This sort of thing has happened to quite a few of my commissions, I don’t mind some of them going but this one was really good! When I told people the sad story on twitter and instagram I received very supportive comments ranging from shock and outrage to resignation and a more philosophical approach which I think is the right way to go - this is from a fellow stained glass artist,
“I am sorry for you Sasha. It's lovely and thus such a waste, but it's a problem we all have to face. The art is in the dedication of the making.”
Collage design for the commission.
What I do have is the final artwork for the piece, in the form of a collage (above). In fact I have a well organised paper file that includes details, sketches and photographs of all of my commissioned works, and a separate portfolio for my best drawings and designs which is a very cheering thought.