Mosaic Of Cross Behind The Pulpit.
The Late Ian Phillips

The subject matter of this mosaic had to be a cross - so said the late Ian Phillips, artist and creator of this wonderful mosaic.
The idea was sparked off by the sight of Roman Mosaic in the Bardo Museum near Carthage in Tunisia.

Further strength came to the idea when Ian found a reproduction of part of a medieval grave (rubbing of a grave slab - 1316 Eikiby, Gotland, Baltic) - The Growing Cross.

Ian decided to use a technique which he had developed over a number of years consisting of embedding various items to form the design.

Ian chose an adaptation of the "Cross Fleurie" in natural wood as a basis for the mosaic.  In the intervening time, Ian had been collecting various materials: -Strips of floor coverings (outlines) - glass mosaics (some of the refurbishing of an Italian Restaurant front) - scraps of wood - copper strips - scraps of brass (parts from candle holders of the church piano!) - lids of jars - medicine bottle tops - cotton reels - brass handles from drawers - coloured glass ornaments - copper and aluminium tubing - electric cable - perforated zinc - golf tees - ballpoint pens - felt tip pens - varnish - nails - powder colours - plaster - bostik No. 1.

The design for the lower part of the panel was taken from the base of the pulpit to tie in with its location.
The panel at the very bottom of the work represents:

Right: Arms of Sir John Schaw - Left: The badge of Cairds superimposed on the flag of P. & O. representing the part played in the founding of the church, and subsequent move to the Esplanade by Harland & Wolff.  The design grew with the interpretation of the subject and the relevance of various items in it, and was not in a finished state until the final coat of varnish was put on.

Ian intended the mosaic to be interpreted by the onlooker - trying to present in it ideas that might be thought of differently by different people - trying to make it universal.

In order to retain the Tunisian connection, Ian used 100 millens coins to cover the fixings at the four corners.

The Cross was unveiled by the Sunday School children.