Gloucester Cathedral

In 1999, Alice Kettle was commissioned to produce three altar frontals for the high altar at Gloucester Cathedral.

Artist's Statement

I have been very moved by the process of making three altar cloths for Gloucester Cathedral. I have attempted to join the appropriate seasonal and liturgical aspects together with the architectural features that surround the frontals. The main subject for his commission from my point of view has been the dynamic force of God. Full of life and movement and energy. 

A theme of ‘hands’ has emerged in the process. The hands of God the Creator are the centre piece of the Trinity Frontal. The outstretched hands of Chris bringing peace to a troubled world symbolise forgiveness in the white/gold festival frontal. In the advent/lent cloth, the suffering hands of Christ are depicted with the stigmata. But here it is a message of hope as they are formed into wings of a dove. 

The hardest design of the three to make was the Trinity frontal. In general my work has been about the human form , and at first I played with ideas around depicting the Trinity in human form, in the manner, for example of Rublev’s icon of the Trinity. I  opted instead for an apple tree with a cross for the Son, (the apple tree reference was an idea from the Dean, Nicholas Bury, taken from a medieval carol), a dove, and a stream of blue water for the life giving Spirit, and a pair of hands like a potter’s hands for God the Father. The two trees either side which frame the piece are intended to harmonise with the strong uprights of the reredos. 

One practical problem to overcome was the presence of the scaffolding hiding the west window while the work was in progress. I could only imagine its impact on the space. I used photographs as a reference, and was allowed up the ladders to get a rare close-up view of the stained-glass windows. It was a very exciting moment for me with ;I brought the advent cloth and found the scaffolding gone! Excitement tinged with relief that I had managed a match of blues and reds between the window and altar cloth!

Textile art can often seem to have the best of both worlds: intricate textures seen from up close, and from far away, just as much linear strength or depth of colour as a painting. I hope that all three frontals work are as harmonious from a distance as they are satisfying close up. 

Alice Kettle