MSc Architectural Conservation student Katherine Murphy reflects on her growing fascination with stained glass:
‘I’ve always been fascinated by stained glass. Not just for the art or the stories it tells, but also for the impact it can have on a space and the quality of light it creates.
The Architectural Conservation course at Kent has given me a fantastic opportunity to explore this interest in greater depth. A series of field trips has allowed me to experience a wide range of stained glass, from medieval windows at Canterbury Cathedral to twentieth-century works such as the beautiful Dunkirk window at St George’s Church.
These experiences have been inspiring and have prompted me to consider this area of conservation as a possible focus for my dissertation, with a particular emphasis on twentieth-century stained glass.
Alongside this, I’ve also been inspired to try stained glass myself. I’m currently working on a panel for my front door to replace a lost Victorian original, and the precision and skill required have given me an even greater appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in these historic windows.’
