In the Balance of Light

In the Balance of  Light
artLAB Gallery
Curated by Cody Barteet and Natalie Scola

Exhibition: January 9 – January 30, 2025
Reception: Thursday, January 9 from 5-7pm

WINTER HOURS: Monday-Friday 12-5PM
Thursday: 12-7PM

In the Balance of Light celebrates the remarkable career of Christopher Wallis (1930–2021), a master stained glass artist renowned for his innovative approach to a centuries-old art form. Born in England and trained at the Hammersmith School of Arts and Crafts, Wallis created over 800 works in Canada and the United States, including ecclesiastical windows, institutional designs and private commissions. His notable works include heraldic windows at Rideau Hall, installations at Western University and Osgoode Hall, and church windows across London and southwestern Ontario. A Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters and a member of both the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Wallis left a lasting legacy in stained glass art.

Drawing from hundreds of designs and drawings, this exhibition offers a comprehensive view of his artistic practice. Featuring coloured designs, preliminary sketches, full-sized cartoons, and completed windows, it highlights Wallis’ ability to create detailed narratives through vibrant colours and intricate symbols, meant to evoke deep emotional responses. By blending traditional representational forms with mid-century abstraction, he redefined stained glass for modern audiences. Wallis’s work demonstrates a detailed consideration of how colour would interact with the intended space, ensuring his windows were not only visually striking but were also unified with their architectural surroundings. This exhibition invites viewers to experience Wallis' designs in their full spectrum, showcasing the depth and skill of his stained glass works. Through his work, Christopher Wallis transformed stained glass into a living medium, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.

This exhibit is made possible through the generous support of the Department of Visual Arts and Western University’s internal granting program. The curators extend their thanks to the family of Christopher Wallis whose generosity and collaboration in sharing his materials have been essential in celebrating his remarkable work.