Collaboration with stained-glass artist Warwick Blair

In 1996 I was commissioned to design five large stained-glass windows for the stairwell to then library of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School. This was the start of seven more windows — a total of 12 windows between 1996 and 1999. These were in three series: The Creativity Series, Metamorphosis series, The Books of Knowledge, and a single window, The Jacaranda Window.

The creation of these designs into glass resulted in  a close collaboration with the gifted stained-glass artist, Warwick Blair.

In 2022, I was delighted to be invited, along with Dr Wendell Rosevear and Dean Peter Catt of the Cathedral, to speak at the launch The Career and Selected Works of Queensland Artist Warwick Blair (1943-2002) by Brisbane historian, Denzil Scrivens book . The launch took place at St John’s Cathedral, 405 Ann St, Brisbane at 3pm on Sunday 3 April 2022.

Chapter 5 Evolution into Abstract Art discusses work produced as a collaboration between myself and Warwick Blair from 1997 to 1999.

Towards the end of his career, working from designs by Queensland designers like Jennifer Andrews and Scott Maxwell, Blair turned his formidable talents to the fashioning of avant garde works with a distinctly abstract character.  His most powerful contemporary creations include  the sweeping Metamorphosis Window at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, and the great  Millennium Window at St John’s Cathedral, unveiled by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

Extract from abstract on rear cover of this book.

Denzil Scrivens has filled a gap in the history of stained glass in Queensland, and Australia, and has provided an invaluable document for present and future generations. Warwick Blair truly was, and will be remembered as, an artist in glass. To have worked with him on these projects was a privilege.

To purchase this book online click here to visit the St Johns Cathedral shop.

Also visit my webpage for more images about the development of the designs.