Claudia Jane Brown

Sculptural Acrylic Design, Lighting & Jewellery

The Ramryge Angels

  Ramryge Angels— Ramryge Chapel, St Albans Abbey, St Albans, Herts.

Based in the Ramryge Chantry Chapel, the installation ‘Bereavement Studies’ comprises six Perspex sculptures which are lit from below. The sculptures have been hand etched and formed and depict the stages of bereavement as established by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. There should be five stages (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance) but I believe that after Acceptance one can find Peace—which is the sixth sculpture. Each sculpture in set into one of six empty statue niches in the 500 year old chapel, and as part of my work I am interested in working with Churches to fill the niches in their buildings that have been empty since the reformation. I am also interested in the use of such sculptural imagery for meditation and contemplation.

In December 07/January 08 the Ramryge Angels (as they have now been called) were purchase by the ‘Friends of St Albans Abbey’. They are therefore now on permanent display, as part of the fabric of the Abbey—something new within the ancient.

The Ramryge Chapel also now has the Cathedral book of Remembrance on view beneath the Angels. The Chapel has become a quiet and fitting place where loved ones can be remembered, and those visiting can be reminded that bereavement is a journey, however difficult, which can lead towards hope.

If you would like a set of the Ramryge Angel postcards, they come in a card pack of six images (see below) and are available in the cathedral shop or directly from me—just email or call me for details.