Renowned artist to design Bunbury Cathedral windows, artwork will ‘make or break’ cathedral says bishop.
Internationally acclaimed artist Dr Robert Juniper will design the fourteen enormous windows of the new Catholic Cathedral in Bunbury as well as the two 2.5 metre diameter rose windows.
Announcing the appointment of Dr Juniper last week, Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury said the decision about the artist was of “huge importance” to the future cathedral.
“The fourteen Cathedral windows are enormous, as are the rose windows above the sanctuary and at the back of the building. The quality of artwork will make or break the Cathedral” Bishop Holohan said. “We are very fortunate to have such an internationally and nationally recognised artist undertaking this project” he added
Bishop Holohan said the windows will be contemporary in style to the age in which the Cathedral is being built, and represent contemporary religious art to future generations.
They will not be abstract but simple to understand, he said, even for children.
“The theme of the windows will be the History of Salvation, the story of God’s love for the human race as outlined in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible” said Bishop Holohan.
“The windows will be rich in colour so that, when illuminated at night, the Cathedral will be like a jewel on the hill overlooking Bunbury” he said.
Dr Juniper said he was honoured to accept such a commissioning as the new cathedral for Bunbury.
“It’s not every day you get asked to design the windows to a new Cathedral.
“A commission like this comes around once in a lifetime and it’s an honour to be asked” Dr Juniper said.
Dr Juniper’s works or art have been displayed around the world and can be found in most major Australian public collections.
He has been the recipient of a number of artistic awards and honours, including the Wynne Prize which he won twice in 1976 and 1980, and the Mona McCaughey Prize in 1980.