Oksana Neverkevich

Stained glass maker

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Reviving a lost tradition

Oksana started making stained glass by chance
She has a second career as a photographer
She creates stained glass renditions of Russian icons

Oksana Neverkevich picked up the craft of making stained glass in quite unlikely circumstances. She was living in the US and studying photography at Royal Oak College near Detroit, when she saw stained glass was an option on her arts course. A craft Oksana has always been fascinated by, stained glass quickly absorbed her completely, to the extent that it eventually became her career. Upon returning to Russia in 2010, Oksana opened her own studio. Using ancient lead soldering techniques, she now creates state-of-the-art interior objects and experiments with new techniques, including cyanotype photographic printing on glass. Also a talented photographer, she cherishes projects that bring together her two creative passions.

Interview

Which of your works feels particularly special?
A window with a Japanese-style floral ornament for the entrance of the building where I live. It is in an old part of St Petersburg and, unfortunately, in our city most of the historic stained glass decorations have been lost or never repaired. I wanted to remind people of this beautiful tradition.
What would you say to a young artisan who wants to take up the craft?
Do not be intimidated by criticism and have faith in your talent. I am no stranger to such sensitivities. Observing a skilled icon painter stopped me from developing my stained glass versions of Russian Orthodox icons for quite a while, because I felt inferior.
What's the idea behind your Russian icon series?
I have only made a rendition of the Holy Face of Jesus so far – I used an old lantern as a base. But I am determined to get back to the theme and create stained glass versions of St George, St Nicholas, the Blessed Matrona of Moscow and St Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg.
What do you love about stained glass objects?
I am fascinated by the diversity of feelings that a stained glass piece provokes as the light goes through it. In dim light you enjoy the ornament itself, while electric light enhances brighter colours, adding shine. Timelapse transformations of stained glass light are magical.