In March 2017 I spent a concentrated and inventive time working on a new commission for an enamelled steel reredos at St Cuthbert’s Church in Copnor, Portsmouth.

This is my second commission from St Cuthbert’s, and the reredos was commissioned to match our ‘Vortex’ font completed in 2013. The visual combination of the decorative backdrop, and the sculpted font will create a brave and unique coupling, bringing the visual centre of the worship space to the altar.

The reredos, measuring 2.5m wide x 5m high, was created during an intense period of creativity at A J Wells & Sons. Wells created some beautiful bespoke colours for the piece which were a delight to use. I worked the enamels for long hours between firings, in order to realise this complex composition. My time at the factory culminated in a visit from the client who, I think it is fair to say, were amazed and elated at the scale and finish of the artwork that had unfolded.

It is always a joy to bring a concept to life; and the challenge of wrestling the composition and colour into submission at full scale is also creatively thrilling.