Gilded wings sculpture to be on display at Glastonbury
Glastonbury Sculpture Influenced By Mental Health
Photograph provided by Edgar Phillips
The sculpture for this year is a set of very tall wings that extend upwards towards the sky, covered in a shiny gold coating.
An artist has been hired to make a big sculpture of wings made of stained glass. It will be placed in the stone circle at Glastonbury Festival.
Edgar Phillips, a resident of Wells, Somerset, has been making stained glass windows since he was 11 years old. He learned the craft from his father and has been practicing it ever since.
He has sculptures placed in various locations around the world, including four distinct designs showcased at Glastonbury in past years, with the initial one being in 2017.
He stated: "Much of my artwork is influenced by my personal experience with mental health."
If you have attended the Glastonbury Festival, chances are you have seen a pair of beautiful, vibrant wings on display or perhaps even posed for a photo in front of them.
They made their debut in 2017, when Mr. Phillips caught the attention of festival co-organizer Emily Eavis.
The picture credit goes to Edgar Phillips.
Emily Eavis became enamored with the design in 2017 and requested Mr. Phillips to create it.
Mr. Phillips stated that since that time, their photos have become very popular and in high demand at the festival. Crowds are lining up to take pictures of his artwork.
"This year, I've been tasked with placing one near the stone circle, which holds great significance as the spiritual center of Glastonbury," he explained.
Being requested to place one there is truly heartwarming.
The ancient stone circle in Glastonbury is a large monument found at Worthy Farm.
In many cultures, arches are seen as portals connecting two different worlds. People believe that by passing through an arch, they can enter a place of great beauty and plenty, where they may receive valuable knowledge, experience healing, or feel inspired.
Picture credit goes to Edgar Phillips
Mr. Phillips' initial sculpture at Glastonbury in 2017 was called 'Wings of the West.'
Mr. Phillips explained that the inspiration for the wings came during a challenging time when he was dealing with mental health struggles. Now, he sees the wings as a representation of inner strength, beauty, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
"I enjoy creating windows that have a modern touch," stated Mr. Phillips.
During a difficult time in my life, I found inspiration in envisioning wings soaring high.
"It felt as though a stained glass window had been brought down to the ground."
Measuring 5 meters by 2.5 meters, Mr. Phillips explained: "They are very large, I wanted them to give the feeling of being able to fly in them."
Source of the image is Edgar Phillips.
The wing sculptures have become a popular attraction at the festival, with long lines of people waiting to take a photo with them.
Mr. Phillips, who has faced challenges with his mental well-being, expressed his desire for his artwork to serve as a way for others to release their emotions.
"I am fully in favor of making art accessible to everyone without charge," he said.
After the events, I set up the displays at Wells Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace, making sure to place them in areas accessible to a wide range of visitors. This way, even those who may not have attended the festivals can still engage with the exhibits.
I used to think, "I need to share my art with the world," but now I feel it's my turn to support the community that has supported me.
Keep up with the latest news from BBC Somerset by following us on Facebook, external and X, external. Share your story suggestions with us via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630.
