Faith Museum acquires striking glass sculpture
- gracebell7
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Faith Museum, Bishop Auckland, has acquired Joyful Assembly, a vibrant glass installation by artist Rachael Woodman, for its permanent collection.
Originally displayed during the museum’s inaugural exhibition in 2023, the work quickly became one of the much-loved pieces in the contemporary gallery. Comprising 35 hand-blown glass forms in shimmering hues of turquoise, blue and green, Joyful Assembly was inspired by a passage from the book of Hebrews and evokes a vivid, spiritual expression of worship and community.
Created in 2020 in collaboration with a team of glassmakers, including Neil Wilkin, the sculpture was first exhibited at Ruthin Craft Centre in North Wales before touring to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland and the Harley Gallery in Nottinghamshire. It was there that Faith Museum curators first encountered the work and invited Woodman to exhibit in the museum’s inaugural programme.
Rachael Woodman said: “I’ve been a glassmaker for over forty years. In that time, I’ve learned so much about working with the material and I’m still learning about this beautiful medium and the potential it has as a vehicle for storytelling. Joyful Assembly is about wonder and worship; it draws on a lifetime of working with glass, its movement, its ability to hold and reflect colour and light, and channels that into something joyful and deeply rooted in my Christian faith."
“Each element is unique. Some are strong and upright, others more yielding. Together, they reflect a collective journey into the presence of God - a joyful assembly in every sense. It feels very apt that its permanent home is now the Faith Museum, a space dedicated to exploring belief in all its forms.”
Clare Baron, Head of Exhibitions at The Auckland Project, said: “Joyful Assembly exemplifies our commitment to showcasing contemporary responses to, and expressions of, faith. Rachael’s work resonates visually, emotionally and spiritually and we are thrilled to make it a permanent part of our collection.”
Designed by Níall McLaughlin, The Faith Museum opened to the public in October 2023 and is part of The Auckland Project’s collection of attractions, which have also been recognised for their architectural achievements by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) last year, when it was also awarded ‘Grand Winner’ in the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust’s 2024 Building Beauty Awards.
The museum explores the impact of faith on British society over the past 6,000 years. It features over 250 objects from various collections, including rarely seen items and contemporary commissions, to illustrate how faith has shaped lives and communities throughout history.
