Fruit of the Spirit
Name of Building: St Nicholas Church
Location: Prestwick
Size: 2836mm x 642mm
Date of Installation: 2017
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The window contains a male figure in prayer and a female figure with her hands reaching to the sky in praise. Both figures are shown from behind so that the viewer can transport him or herself into the image. The first and most important words within the Fruit of the Spirit are love, joy and peace. Nine white doves reach upwards flying into the blue sky, warm amber tones of sunshine reach down and the swirl of pink are all working together to create this uplifting feeling of love, joy and peace. The woman’s hands are open wide to signify that we both give and receive these attributes as a Christian. To have and to give Love, Peace and Joy are the rewards for living a good life. The source of all three lies in the Christian relation to God. I have dedicated more than half of the space to create an image that embraces and hopefully captures these positive feelings. The doves have been etched into flash glass so appear as if they are flying without the restriction of lead lines.
Below the figures we have various symbols that depict the remaining six words, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. These are the attributes that we, as Christians have to work into our character and morals as a way of life. At the base, we have the colour purple as a symbol of penance, also the thorns to signify hardship. The ivy leaves are a symbol of fidelity, while Lily of the valley represents humility. The streaky brown glass and green glass signify the oak tree for endurance and faithfulness. The girl stands in a field of crocuses as a symbol of new life and springtime. Her dress is adorned with daisies as a symbol of innocence. There is a definite divide within the composition of this design, below the figures, the colours are darker and filled with lots of symbolic imagery which define the last 6 Fruit of the spirit. To live by the spirit can be difficult, we must embrace what we are given in life and be thankful. The area above the figures is open and free, the doves are flying upwards and overall the image is uplifting. To live by the spirit means that we will allow ourselves to give and also receive the real fruits…. Love, Joy and Peace.
“In loving memory of Dorothy Margaret McCreadie 1942 – 2013”
Natural light showing off the range colours and detail of paint and acid etching
Details of flowers and writing
Installed window