Linda Cannon ACR
Projects
About Me
After I graduated from Glasgow Art School in 1983, I worked in the Burrell Collection, as the Stained Glass Conservator, for eight years; from 1984 – 1992. Conservation combines my interests in Art, Science, History, Travel, Research and Writing.
I restored, conserved, researched and documented many of the 704 medieval panels, from the 12th century to the 19th century, all of which had been bought by the Shipping magnate Sir William Burrell over a 50 year time-span. During this time I undertook detailed research into lead chemistry and structure, and wrote “Stained Glass in the Burrell Collection” in 1991. I was involved in display and storage research, as well as public and private collaborations and visits.
Since I left Glasgow Museums, I have continued to approach private conservation commissions with the same degree of care to the highest standards, working freelance for museums, public institutions and private clients, both here and abroad.
In 2000 I was awarded Accredited status (ACR) by the Institute of Conservation (ICON)
I have served on various professional conservation committees, notably ICON’s Stained Glass Committee, and the Professional Accreditation Committee (PACR). I have attended and participated in national (BSMGP) and international (CVMA) conferences for over thirty five years researching, developing and contributing to the wider stained glass knowledge base.
Client Testimonials
We were extremely lucky to have been connected with Linda Cannon by our architect, who was familiar with her excellent work at Inveraven Kirk and elsewhere. We are in the early stages of restoring the Chapel at Tombae, a category A listed building dating back to the early 1800s. Our first priority was to bring the exterior of the building back to its original glory and to ensure that it would be weatherproof for years to come. The windows are one of the defining features of the building, so we needed someone we could trust with this delicate work. Linda demonstrated her skill and attention to detail during her initial site visit. She prepared a very thorough report of the required works with a detailed budget and timeline. Despite the UK going in and out of lockdown shortly after the project started, Linda worked every possible day that was permissible and stuck to her original budget in spite of these delays. She did an excellent job repairing, cleaning and/or replacing all of the diamond window-panes and restoring their frames. Throughout the project, she was very communicative and regularly provided updates and photographs, which was a blessing given that we were not able to be on site ourselves for much of that period. Her enthusiasm for her craft has made us even more excited for the restoration, and we truly appreciate all her hard work. We would not hesitate to recommend Linda to anyone.
Helena M. Turner
Owner of Tombae Chapel BuildingLinda Cannon contributed to the major restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Willow Tea rooms over a period of three years from 2015 to 2018. She conserved original glass fittings and researched and developed designs for replica glass. She continues to have oversight of the glass now in situ. Her work was carried out in close consultation with the Expert Advisory Panel. Throughout Linda showed excellent research skills, meticulous attention to detail and authenticity, and high level of practical skill. The end result would not have been the same without her input.
Professor Pamela Robertson FRSE FRSA
Expert Advisory Panel member, Willow Tea Rooms Trust, GlasgowThe community hall had a large stained-glass window over 150 years old that needed significant refurbishment. We invited several restorers to view the window but only Linda Cannon was prepared to take on the job. Not only did she complete an immaculate refurbishment but completed the project to time and to budget
Linda is also a stained glass artist and significant art work was required during the refurbishment. The colours had to match the original exactly and many test runs were caried out in the kilns. Glass was sourced in France, Germany, England and Poland to match exactly the original glass. All the art work was completed brilliantly.
Linda was a pleasure to work with. She provided regular progress reports and allowed us to visit her studio to see the many techniques involved and witness some of the key completion points of the refurbishment. Her skill and patience were extraordinary.
The refurbishment attracted much media attention, and the window is a great attraction in the community hall.
James Bayne
Secretary Alvah and Forglen Community CouncilTraining
BA hons, Fine Art (Stained Glass) Glasgow School of Art
Post Graduate Certificate of Education (Fine Art) Distinction University of Strathclyde Glasgow
Work History
Throughout 2020, when most of the world was in lockdown, I have been extremely fortunate to have been completely locked down and self-isolating in a tiny glen in the Scottish Highlands. I’ve painstakingly removed old flaky putty, cleaned the zinc frames, re-puttied and re-painted every single piece of glass. The wooden frames have also been fully restored, rubbed down and re-painted It’s been a real, slow, long-term isolation project.
In 2019I was asked by Jim Mitchell ACR to repair a tiny stained glass window, hidden for over a century, behind the massive bronze stature of William Wallace which he was removing for conservation from the Monument. Access was very restricted – internally, a tight, cramped, tunnel-like space, and externally a terrifying scaffold overlooking the Carse of Stirling. I repainted two new sets of archers based on the fragments that existed.
In 2019 I was asked by Alvah and Forglen Community Council, and the Friends of Forglen Hall, to restore their beautiful window at the back of their community Hall. The window, depicting “Jacob’s Ladder” by Clayton & Bell, had been gifted to the Hall when it was built after WW1. Unfortunately, time, and numerous impact damage had taken its toll, and almost one third of the window was either broken or, in some places, missing. I was given the challenge of bringing it back to life.
In 2018, I was asked by the Willow Tea Rooms Trust to help Conserve and Restore and research the original Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchihall Street, Glasgow. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1903. My original brief was to fully conserve any original leaded glass work, but as the project progressed I also got involved with the wire-wrapping and hanging of the two lead-crystal chandeliers in the Salon-de-Luxe.
The complete Restoration, Conservation and manufacture of bespoke Isothermal Glazing for Lerwick Town Hall, working with Rab MacInnes. A unique scheme of A-listed historic 19th C stained glass Previous secondary glazing in the 1990’s, using perspex, was causing unforseen consequences, most notably, extreme flexing of the large panels on the windy elevations. The stained glass, the stonework and the mortar were all suffering badly in such extremes and had to be removed and restored.
