PREVIEW: Local jeweller mirrors a stained glass pioneer

David J Lilly is a stalwart member of  Brighton gay male choir Resound but for many years his life has centred on creating art – in stained glass and now in precious  and semi-precious stones and silver.

David, who was until recently a resident of Hove, now  works from  an 18th century barn near Chichester .  Hit hard by lockdown, he is hoping for a brighter December as some of his latest creations go on show at Shoreham Art Gallery.

He told me the genesis of this latest collection. “ Roger Darricarrere was a mid-century Frenchman who made his name producing stained glass in the USA.  His design called Dalle de Verre, is totally unique because he cast the 25mm thick slabs of glass into 3D slabs of concrete. The resultant windows had an architectural feel through their asymmetry , relief and strong use of colour “.

David is the UK’s only Dalle de Verre designer/maker  and he’s now taken inspiration from Roger’s creations to produce a range of rings and pendants cast in sterling silver. The range  is available  online and will be featured in December at Shoreham Art Gallery.

“ Lockdown has been hard – all my shows and sales stopped. “ He thinks that would-be customers prefer to see at close hand and also touch his designs before buying.

The proof will be known at the gallery . They are truly remarkable pieces –  www.davidjlilly.com