Tag Archive: mosaics

ed chapman’s ceramic shard mosaic portraits

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Interested in bringing a modern twist to the ancient art of mosaics, self-taught artist Ed Chapman hand cuts thousands of ceramic tile fragments and attaches each one individually to board, achieving surprisingly accurate portraits.

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Bob Marley, ceramic tile fragments

Over the last decade Chapman has used several materials for his mosaic art including paper, glass and metal. He eventually moved on to ceramic tile shards, which provide him with the most realistic results, though he continues to experiment with other materials like sugar cubes and pennies. While I appreciate all of his work, the ceramic mosaics have a  classy, elegant quality to them that appeals to the more formal side of me.

Dreamweaver, ceramic tile fragments

“The fragmented results represent the fragmented nature of our lives and our own unique make-up.” Ed Chapman

London Girl, ceramic tile fragments

The UK artist’s portfolio is full of portraits of iconic figures but he also accepts private commissions. More portraits of musicians (Cobain, Hendrix, Reed and others) here. And if you really want to shake your head in disbelief, Chapman is one of several mosaic artists who were tapped to create ‘luxury mosaic’ portraits made entirely of gemstones. Gemstone Creatives is a fusion of art, jewels and design. You can find a detailed account of the process on if it’s hip it’s here (I couldn’t figure out which portraits were Chapman’s).
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keke cribbs’ magical world of narrative glass mosaics

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Keke Cribbs creates sculptural mosaics that take us on a journey into the magical imagination of this self-taught artist – a fantastical world where the landscape is colorful, the characters exciting, the narrative riveting. Cribbs has a portfolio brimming with three dimensional glass mosaics that ultimately become a canvas for her brilliant narrative paintings and drawings.

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keke_laciccolina

La Ciccolina, 15″ x 11″ x 6″
reverse fired enamels on glass mosaics, wood shoe last, wood

keke_littlegraziana

Little Graziana ,32″ x 28″ x 1.5″
reverse fired enamels on glass mosaics, wood frame

keke_bingo

Bingo, 26.5″ x 9″ x 7″
stoneware, glaze, china paints, gold luster, reverse fired enamels on window glass and stained glass mosaics

keke_eugenie

Eugenie, 20″ x 20″ x 2″
reverse fired enamels on window glass, Alkyd paints, gold leaf

cribbs_glassquarterly

Read an interview with the artist on Glass Quarterly, where Cribbs explains how she developed Raggedy Man Down Under and other recent characters. You can view more images of her work here.

I first became aware of Cribbs’ work through Facebook and have corresponded with her from time to time over the last year, hoping that her website would be complete so that I could write about this amazing body of work.  The good news is that her art continues to be very much in demand and she is busy creating commissions and gallery work. The bad news is that she doesn’t have the time right now to think about a website. Look for a Facebook Fan Page from her in the near future – an easier option that won’t replace a well-designed website, but it is a good way to let fans, collectors and others see her latest work, best work, links that motivate and inspire her. Keke already shares wonderful links with friends – it will be a real treat for her fans to connect with the talented artist’s inspiration.

More to come from me soon about Facebook Fan Pages.  For now, enjoy another image from Keke Cribbs’ portfolio.

keke_mardigras

Mardi Gras, 28″ x 11″ x 5.5″
reverse fired enamels on glass mosaics, fiberglass boat form, gold leaf, copper, steel

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