In Remembrance: Sir Brian Clarke

Jeremy Soames, Chairman of the Churchill Fellowship said: “Brian was an extraordinary friend to the Churchill Fellowship and a deeply valued member of our community. As a Churchill Fellow himself, undertaking his Fellowship in 1974 to study the preservation of stained glass, his connection to the Fellowship was both personal and profound.

Over more than three decades, Brian made an exceptional contribution to the Fellowship. He joined our Advisory Council in 1984, became a Trustee in 2007, and served with dedication until stepping down in 2020. His wisdom, passion, and steadfast support had a lasting impact, particularly among Fellows working within the Arts.

We were privileged that he designed the medallions presented to all Churchill Fellows on the completion of their Fellowship. Through them, we are fortunate to have a lasting, tangible reminder of his artistry and the legacy he leaves behind. Brian will be greatly missed.”

Julia Weston, Chief Executive added: “Brian’s dedication to the Churchill Fellowship was extraordinary. He spent hours reading applications with huge care and attention to detail and was generous with his advice and contacts with new Fellows. He was for many years the voice of Fellows on the Advisory Council and at board meetings, a role he took very seriously given his deep understanding of the power of a Fellowship to influence a person’s life and trajectory. I feel very fortunate to have known him and will miss greatly the razor-sharp intellect and wit that he brought to all conversations. I know Churchill Fellows will want to join us in sending our condolences to Brian’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Sir Brian Clarke Hon FRIBA CF (2 July 1953 – 1 July 2025)

Born in Oldham, Lancashire, into a working-class family, Sir Brian Clarke discovered stained glass while studying at North Devon College of Art & Design. Though he worked in various media throughout his career, stained glass remained his central focus. He was a leading figure in the arts for many decades, known for his bold and often provocative work. His extraordinary style led to major collaborations with architects including Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid. His stained glass, room installations, paintings, mosaic, and tapestry can be found in architectural settings and public and private collections throughout the world.

His final major work, Concordia, was installed at Bahrain International Airport in April 2025. A significant retrospective of his work, A Great Light, was held at London’s Newport Street Gallery from 2023 to 2024.

In January 2024, he was awarded a knighthood at The King’s New Year Honours list for services to Art. This was the first knighthood to be awarded to a British artist primarily working in stained glass.