When marine science professor Ceridwen Fraser was designing her latest stained-glass window art she thought it would make a nice addition to her new bathroom.
Unfortunately the bathroom renovations cost too much and the window quickly made its way under her bed, she said.
However, the Department of Marine Science moved to the Quad building at the university and it was decided Prof Fraser’s art work would make a good addition to its Geology Museum — which was housed in the same building.
Prof Fraser was glad her work would be seen by people rather than hidden away.
This leadlight window celebrates some of the local marine life of Otago and featured giant bladder kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera/rimurimu), New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri/pakeke), ctenophores (comb jellies), moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) and fish common to the region.
Prof Fraser began doing stained-glass artwork about four years ago.
She wanted to block the view from her office which looked straight into a colleague’s office.
She thought about buying a stained-glass window but figured it would be a better idea to make her own.
Prof Fraser found Otago Stained Glass artist Peter Mackenzie and began learning the art from him.
"My original goal was just to make one window but I got really hooked and I think I’m on to number six or seven now."
She was "hooked" because she found it to be a good distraction from her work.
"It's pretty much the only thing I do where I can't think about work while I'm doing it. And it's a sort of creative outlet."
