Geoffrey Clarke is best known as a sculptor but first enrolled at the Royal College of Art in Graphic Design quickly transferring to the Stained Glass course. There he quickly became known for taking an innovative approach to stained glass and graduated with a first-class diploma, a gold medal for outstanding work and a travel scholarship to tour France in the summer of 1951.

In 1952, the year that Clarke also launched his work internationally at the Venice Biennale alongside Lynn Chadwick, Reg Butler and others he was invited with fellow RCA colleagues Keith New and Lawrence Lee to design and make the ten Nave windows for Coventry Cathedral. Under the architect Sir Basil Spence, Coventry was arguably one of the largest and controversial public post-war rebuilding projects and involved a number of commissions by contemporary artists including Elisabeth Frink, John Piper and Graham Sutherland.

Geoffrey Clarke was also a pioneer in using new materials and in the 50s discovered a method of casting aluminium from expanded polystyrene. This beautiful test panel for the P&O Cruise Liner ‘Canberra’ is an excellent example of Clarke bringing together his innovative technique and his exceptional eye for colour in his glass work. The final commission which measured 4.5m is presumed lost following the liners final voyage in 1997.

As most examples of Clarke’s stained glass exist in public collections this is an exceptional piece that is rarely available and has only recently been shows for the first time since its commission. It is in good condition with the original linseed putty and has been recently mounted on a light box designed with the estate so that the piece can easily be removed and set into architecture should the opportunity arise.

Pangolin London is proud to represent the estate of Geoffrey Clarke.