A PIECE of artwork commissioned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Contemporary Glass Society is to be unveiled at the International Festival of Glass.

The creation by Chris Day is to go on permanent display at the new Stourbridge Glass Museum.

It will be officially unveiled on Friday August 26 during the much-anticipated Bank Holiday glass festival.

As well as celebrating 25 years of the Contemporary Glass Society, it is hoped the artwork, which will be displayed on the first-floor balcony at the new museum, will stop visitors in their tracks.

Entitled ‘After the Darkness, the Light’ – the piece aims to highlight the plight of immigrants.

The artist Chris Day said: “I hope this work will create a healthy conversation regarding immigrants historically and present and give the viewer a chance to reflect on the horrific images we have all been subjected to recently.

“The boat has always been a way of getting to this country throughout history and I have created a sculpture boat shaped using the copper structure I have developed within my work.

The colours used represent the flags of different counties of people that have migrated to Britain.

The copper structure was blown into to create tension in the work while the bright colour disguises this with its beauty. Other materials also intertwine the sculpture e.g. concrete, rebar, chains and rope with the sole purpose of engaging the viewer with layers of conversation.

“It has been an honour to receive this commission and I am extremely thankful to the CGS and SGM for all their support throughout and especially on this project.”

The artwork will be unveiled at the museum in Camp Hill by auctioneer Will Farmer, star of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, and director of Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge.

It will then go on permanent display at the museum.