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From: "Peter_McCrae" <>
Subject: YOUNGER: Alan Christopher Wyrill Younger--d.12/5/2004>UK
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 16:21:01 -0000


Alan Younger
(Filed: 08/06/2004)
The Daily Telegraph and the telegraph.co.uk


Alan Younger, who has died aged 71, was one of the most important stained
glass artists of the post-war era, a challenging period in which
practitioners often had to reconcile the demands of modernism with medieval
settings.



One of Younger's great strengths was his extensive knowledge of, and
sympathy for, architecture; and the setting of the building in which he was
working was always a prime consideration. He was also a superb colourist,
with a keen sense of how glass should be presented in an old building. He
was deeply aware that he was working in a great tradition of earlier
artists, such as William Morris, whom he greatly admired.

Younger's talent for design was matched by his craftsmanship. Stained glass
for the most part remains a medieval craft, and Younger did not employ
assistants; having chosen his glass, he would cut and paint it himself in
the tiny studio in the garden of his house near Crystal Palace.

Alan Christopher Wyrill Younger was born in south-east London on March 13
1933. He was educated at Alleyn's School, in Dulwich, where his early
ability as an artist was somewhat obscured by his prowess at cricket; he
played for the school alongside Micky Stewart (later the England coach),
then - during his National Service in Egypt - for Middle East Combined
Services.

It was while studying Fine Art at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in
London that Younger decided to specialise in stained glass. For six years he
worked in Carl Edwards's studio, assisting on windows for the House of
Lords' debating chamber, the Temple church and the Anglican Cathedral in
Liverpool.

Later Younger became assistant to Lawrence Lee, Professor of Stained Glass
at the Royal College of Art.

In 1966 Younger set up his own studio. His many commissions included the
Bede Window in the Galilee Chapel at Durham Cathedral; the Great West Window
in Tamworth parish church, Staffordshire; and the East Windows in the
churches at Haselbech, Northamptonshire, and Boldre in Hampshire.

Younger was an eloquent and articulate advocate for his work, an important
quality in an arena which is often governed by committees rather than by
individual patrons. Often the artist must convince people who know little or
nothing about his medium, and Younger was skilful in explaining his
symbolism and communicating his enthusiasm for an idea.

In September 1987 Younger was invited to transform Lord Grimthorpe's "Great
Rose" window at St Albans Cathedral. Grimthorpe was the Victorian architect
whose restoration of St Albans was regarded in some quarters as vandalism;
his rebuilding of the north transept had included removing the original
lancet window, and replacing it with a rose window of clear glass framed by
clumsy stonework.

Younger's difficult task was to transform this window into one that would
radiate colour and light; and he succeeded, creating a harmonious and
colourful geometrical design. It took him two years.

The large window in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey, installed in
October 2000, was Younger's other major achievement. The competition brief
required a new figurative design with the central image of the Virgin
surrounded by angels.

Other cathedrals for which he designed and made stained glass include
Southwark, Chester and Gloucester. He also made two memorial windows - for
Field Marshals Cassels and Carver - in the chapel at RMA Sandhurst.

A tall, strikingly handsome man who dressed with some style, Alan Younger
was a warm and witty friend. He was a Fellow and council member of the
British Society of Master Glass Painters; a Brother of the Art Workers'
Guild; and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers.

He died on May 12, and is survived by his wife Zoe and their two daughters.













© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.



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