"Roots of Knowledge" is an eighty-panel stained glass installation created by stained glass artist Tom Holdman.
"Roots of Knowledge" is an eighty-panel stained glass installation created by stained glass artist Tom Holdman.
Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios
Each panel tells the story of the origin of mankind and the evolution of knowledge.
Each panel tells the story of the origin of mankind and the evolution of knowledge.
Jay Drowns/Utah Valley University Marketing/Utah Valley University Marketing
The research, design, production and installation took 12 years to complete.
The research, design, production and installation took 12 years to complete.
Nathaniel Ray Edwards/UVU Marketing & Communications/Utah Valley University Marketing
Covering over 200 feet (60 meters) of wall space, the work has been described as a "tour de force" by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vam.ac.uk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">V&A Museum</a> curator of ceramics and glass, Terry Bloxham.
Covering over 200 feet (60 meters) of wall space, the work has been described as a "tour de force" by V&A Museum curator of ceramics and glass, Terry Bloxham.
August Miller/UVU Marketing/August Miller UVU Marketing
The artwork cost $4.5 million to make and install, and uses 60,000 pieces of glass.
The artwork cost $4.5 million to make and install, and uses 60,000 pieces of glass.
holdman studios
Holdman was inspired after watching passers-by engrossed in their mobile phones, or staring at the ground. He was struck by how the technical age can make individuals feel small and insignificant.
Holdman was inspired after watching passers-by engrossed in their mobile phones, or staring at the ground. He was struck by how the technical age can make individuals feel small and insignificant.
holdman studios
This panel depicts architectural achievements of the Twentieth Century -- the Saturn V rocket can be seen racing into the atmosphere on the right hand side.
This panel depicts architectural achievements of the Twentieth Century -- the Saturn V rocket can be seen racing into the atmosphere on the right hand side.
Holdman Studios
"Roots of Knowledge shows that this world is secular and also spiritual and how it all works as one because we all come from the same roots," says Holdman.
"Roots of Knowledge shows that this world is secular and also spiritual and how it all works as one because we all come from the same roots," says Holdman.
Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios
Important relics from the 8th Century are depicted in this window including the Kojiki, the oldest chronicle of Japanese history; the oldest surviving Qu'ran; and the Monkwearmouth Jarrow window, from England, which is the oldest known example of stained glass in the world.
Important relics from the 8th Century are depicted in this window including the Kojiki, the oldest chronicle of Japanese history; the oldest surviving Qu'ran; and the Monkwearmouth Jarrow window, from England, which is the oldest known example of stained glass in the world.
Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios
Medieval art, architecture and history feature throughout the stained glass windows.
Medieval art, architecture and history feature throughout the stained glass windows.
Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios
Holdman also references the history of glass itself, and its origins in Egypt and Rome, by exploring the different types of 'glass art' created over time.
Holdman also references the history of glass itself, and its origins in Egypt and Rome, by exploring the different types of 'glass art' created over time.
Nathaniel Ray Edwards/UVU Marketing & Communications/Utah Valley University Marketing
Holdman incorporated Greek mosaic and Victorian stained glass techniques and even the medieval art of blowing glass by mouth.
Holdman incorporated Greek mosaic and Victorian stained glass techniques and even the medieval art of blowing glass by mouth.
Holdman Studios
Unique artifacts such as a piece of the Berlin wall, a 3,000 year-old coin and part of a dollar bill have also been included in some of the stained glass panels.
Unique artifacts such as a piece of the Berlin wall, a 3,000 year-old coin and part of a dollar bill have also been included in some of the stained glass panels.
Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios/Holdman Studios
An upcoming collaboration with the Utah school system will see children as young as six brought to see the windows as part of their history curriculum.
An upcoming collaboration with the Utah school system will see children as young as six brought to see the windows as part of their history curriculum.
August Miller UVU Marketing
"I wanted to find a way to inspire others about how important the individual is and see how, if others have made a difference, why can't you also?" says the artist.
"I wanted to find a way to inspire others about how important the individual is and see how, if others have made a difference, why can't you also?" says the artist.
Utah Valley University Marketing
Holdman collaborated with over 40 artists, 350 students and 25 professors to complete the work.
Holdman collaborated with over 40 artists, 350 students and 25 professors to complete the work.
Jay Drowns/Utah Valley University Marketing/Utah Valley University Marketing