John Stamp, the designer of the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery and one of the creators of the project, died on the 14 Jan 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

John was a graphic designer at Thames Television in Teddington for many years and worked on a variety of programmes including ‘The Avengers’, ‘The Kenny Everett Video Show’, ‘Robin’s Nest’ and many others. John was responsible for the iconic title sequence of the definitive World War Two series ‘World at War’ narrated by Laurence Olivier. The haunting theme and opening titles make an unforgettable impact on the viewer. The series won many awards. A retrospective of John’s work for Thames was held at BAFTA in 1991.

John began working on the design of the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery in 1995 when the idea for the project was proposed by David Brown. In the subsequent years over 160 people became involved in the embroidery, both in its construction and also in its further development. The embroidery was completed during the millennium year, and Her Majesty the Queen came to Sunbury to view the completed work and to meet with its creators in 2001. John also did a considerable amount of embroidery himself inventing a ‘unique’ kind of stitch which can be evidenced on the fantastic Swan Upping panel which he did in its entirety. He also embroidered the astonishing likeness of Albert Skinner as well as the River Thames which features on the Village Panel, and a number of other individual pieces across the work.

Subsequent to the completion of the embroidery John, together with a team of artists, created the recently installed series of bas-reliefs which depict details from the embroidery. It is possible with these to travel along the length of the embroidery by touch. Although initially conceived as a tactile experience for the visually impaired, it is also intended for children and visitors in general. This tactile work very much followed on from John’s work as a sculptor, work which he had increasingly concentrated on in the years after leaving Thames Television. He created many fine pieces in a variety of materials, dedicating his sculpture of a ‘French Knot’ to the Gallery on its opening in 2006.

John was multi-talented, and throughout his life had continuously painted and drawn. His signature technique was a pointillist style where the picture is composed of a series of dots, very much in the style of the post impressionist painter Seurat. The technique was particularly suited to faces and John could achieve remarkable likenesses. He was commissioned to do a series of portraits of the founders of the Shaftesbury Theatre to be displayed in the theatre. In 2003 John illustrated a book by Patrick Tucker entitled ‘Secrets of Screen Acting.’ Friends would always receive an annual Christmas Card from John (which he kept under wraps until the very last moment) of a famous Hollywood actor or actress accompanied by a concise and witty and festively appropriate punch line. John was funny and great company and a good friend. He was also extremely fit. To celebrate his fiftieth birthday he ran 12 miles in his lunch hour at Thames when he normally just did six… only to discover a bit later that day that he was only 49!

John bore the recent months of his illness with great resolve. His sense of humour and irony stayed with him throughout. The support of his family and his wife Jeanette enabled him to remain at home until the last few days.

His work on the embroidery was seminal and one of the determining factors in its success. The embroidery opened up numerous friendships and John will be deeply missed by all at the Gallery.

John was adamant that there was to be no funeral. He didn’t want a ‘bloody hearse’! It is this strength of attitude that sustained him through many years of intermittent treatment and difficulty. He wished for his body to be left for research but unfortunately due to his illness this was not possible. His cornea has been donated. John knew the situation and strongly requested that he be cremated with no family or friends present. The cremation will take place at 9.45am on Wednesday 26 January. His ashes will be scattered in a stream in the village of St Mary Bourne, Hampshire where he was born.

The care and assistance that the Princess Alice Hospice were able to provide during this past year was stupendous. It is such a special place. It would be greatly appreciated that any donations in John’s memory be made out to them.

An informal occasion remembering John and his work will be held at the Gallery in the Spring.