Rachel & Glass

I take pride in my Northern heritage and the historical significance of the glass industry in Sunderland. This deep-rooted connection is a key motivator for my work and commitment to preserving and passing on traditional skills. With a strong appreciation for stained-glass in public and religious settings, I also draw heavily on Christian themes. I am inspired by the communities which brought the scriptures to life for devotees through stained-glass windows. I share my love of stained-glass through my work

I was inspired by the monasteries of Lindisfarne and Jarrow, which were major Christian centres in the 7th and 8th centuries. These communities brought the scriptures to life for devotees through both written Gospels and stained-glass windows.
This project explores the story of glass in the Northeast, as inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels. The work comprises twelve pages, representing key moments in the history of glass in Sunderland—from its origins to its growth as a local craft, industrialisation, and eventual decline. I combine illumination and stained-glass—two endangered heritage crafts—to celebrate and preserve this rich cultural narrative.