St Mary Magdalene Church, Hart, Hartlepool

My modern, abstract design interpreting the Parable of the Sower is composed around an ancient pattern of sacred geometry; a calculated swirl of movement which leads the viewer on a spiritual journey through the narrative.

From the top of the left-hand light, ripe seeds spiral down the side of window, scattered from the hand of the Sower. They mingle with the text Some Fell into Good Soil [Luke 8:15] and circle in towards a bright space of blue sky across which flies the dove of the Holy Spirit. This serves to remind us all that we are borne on strong wings and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and the potential for spiritual growth. Beside the dove flutter three butterflies, all of which can be found locally; the holly blue, gatekeeper and red admiral.

A little lower down, some seed falls by the wayside and is eaten by sparrows. Lower still some falls among vicious thorns and cannot prosper, and some falls onto stony ground and withers away for lack of nourishment.

Toward the bottom left-hand corner some falls into good soil, where the poppies and cornflowers traditional to wheat-fields are already flourishing. New wheat springs up tall and strong from the good soil, sheltering a harvest mouse and filling the right-hand light with the abundant harvest of creation and leading us back through the cycle of growth.

The area of intense blue at the heart of the composition – almost a window within a window – draws us to the world and the fields beyond the window, and invites us to reflect on the meaning of the Parable; sharing God’s creation and His love with the farming communities surrounding this ancient church and place.
Lettering by Phil Thomas.