Biography

Red Phoenix Glass is a stained glass studio that has undertaken ecclesiastic commissions for thirty-seven years. Originally formed as Sacred Art Studios in 1989, the studio began with a commissioned set of the 14 stations of the Cross in stained glass. Christopher John has been the designer-maker of all commissioned work, though regularly subcontracts the leading component to selected leadlight studios.

He consistently collaborates with other designer-makers, sculptors and steel manufacturers to fulfil multi-media commissions. Recently the studio has collaborated with Orchard Design Studio and produced stained glass, stations of the cross and murals for a number of Catholic Secondary Colleges in Melbourne.

Red Phoenix Glass has produced heritage windows in the manner of the Victorian era, in particular Hardman and Co, and at the other end of the spectrum, contemporary windows utilising laser cut steel and slab glass. The studio has also undertaken public art commissions for regional councils, Bundaberg, Gympie and Whitehorse City Council, Melbourne.

The studio has designed and fabricated more than sixty windows along the eastern seaboard and has just installed a Marian window in Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral, in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The studio has a strong traditional drawing practice, and Christopher John has taught drawing and design at Chisholm Institute and Monash University for eight years.