The cross for St David’s chancel was my first real attempt at a professional work in silicon bronze, copper sheet and stainless steel – each having their particular characteristics. The cross is about 1000mm high and has stood the test of being hung on the wall for about 45 years. The inside faces of the arms of the cross are patinated with sulphuric acid to give the contrasting but subtle green-blue colour.
The reredos screen was a series of stainless steel rods fixed to the wall with copper panels with patinated variegated brown areas clipped on – the darker ones grouped behind the cross to give a more homogeneous background.
The silicon bronze was all scrap offcuts at very little cost from a boiler making factory in Sydney and the copper sheeting was from a demolished roof.
The green-blue copper sulphate colour inside the four wings of the cross contrast beautifully with the bronzes and coppers elsewhere
The stainless steel rods I had to buy as new but the all up cost was very largely labour and it was a voluntary job anyway!
The bishop, Neville Chynoweth occasionally dropped a hint in later discussions – “…it would be nice to see you in church some Sunday !” I never got round to telling him of my atheistic views.
