Design among the pews.
Or: the cosy joy of an unlocked village church
Hello, fellow pilgrim.
This newsletter is getting more irregular. Life is full, and I’m not able to devote as much time to it as I used to.
But I’m happy to just share things when they bubble up.
And I’m grateful to share them with you.
Great design tucked in quaint Anglican churches
There’s a special joy that comes from stumbling upon a quaint, village church.
Often, these places are left unlocked for visitors to explore.
They are little sanctuaries of calm. I often think you can sense the prayers of many, many generations in the walls.
They are also wonderful places to discover design, old and new.
Unassuming village churches can be home to imposing religious art like this:
They can unearth modern artists reflecting on faith, death and life.
Take Jacqui Parkinson. A few of her prints were on display in a church in Suffolk, which opened my eyes to her ‘Threads Through the Bible’ project.
The largest textile project for 600 years, this is a kaleidoscopic journey through Genesis, the Easter narrative and Revelation.
I highly recommend you check it out, in person if possible. It’s on tour until the end of 2027.
The graphic design in these churches can be little windows into the past.
We get to peer back in time, and imagine what it must have been like to christen a baby in the middle of World War II.
Just look at this baptismal roll in Dyrham, an estate outside Bristol which houses a parish church. I love the silhouette work at the top, even if it does all look a bit ‘If we shadows have offended’:
So, this is a celebration of unlocked treasures, free for us pilgrims to discover.
Textile kneelers, strange little art installations, lino prints in the honesty box gift shop…
The whole lot.
What’s the best (or most unexpected) design that you’ve found among the pews?
Something for the journey
This song, which I’ve found to be a great reflection on pride and humility. Also, I love that evocative artwork (check out the deluxe edition for a playful bit of design):
Big blessings.
— Sam Thorogood, Pilgrimage Design
(views expressed are all solely my own)