John Piper, C.H. (1903-1992)

In 1964 John Piper was commissioned to design the large tapestry which is now installed, in 7 sections, within the Sherburn Screen behind the High Altar at Chichester Cathedral. Many of the preliminary studies for the final design were executed in collage and mixed media. As well as representing the Divine Trinity and the Four Evangelists the tapestry scheme includes symbols of the four primal 'elements': earth, air, fire and water. The current work is an individual study for the 'air' motif, which is now shown in the upper part of the second panel from the left in the actual tapestry. This work is closely related to Air Motif from Chichester Cathedral Tapestry, 1966, oil and gloss on panel at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester (illustrated in colour in the exhibition catalogue John Piper in Kent and Sussex, Mascalls Gallery, Paddock Wood 2011, no 112).

S.L.