Mosaic Art Exhibition

MUsaic is an exhibition of contemporary mosaic art on the theme of music presented by the British Association for Modern Mosaic (BAMM).

Mosaic making has a rich and long history spanning many civilisations. From this simple concept of bringing many pieces together to form a new whole has sprung an art that is as diverse, exciting and creative as it is embedded in our history. Through time these pieces have consisted of pebbles, shell, precious stones, marble, terracotta, glass, gold, ceramics, recycled and found objects. There is perhaps a very deep rooted need within mankind to seek out pattern from chaos in our surroundings and it is this need that mosaic art fulfills.

The Romans spread the tradition throughout their empire and over a thousand mosaics have been found in Britain alone.
Mosaic flourished again during the Byzantine era and throughout the muslim world as well as in the Americas notably the Aztec culture.

Mosaic art exploded back into life with the work of the Spanish architect/artist Antoni Gaudi. Born in 1852 Gaudi's mosaic encrusted buildings and architectural features overflow with a unique creative identity.

Today the range of mosaic art being created is amazing, different materials, different styles, different textures and different scales. Mosaic has become the medium of choice for many different voices each expressing their own song.

This exhibition comprises work from 41 BAMM members from around the UK and Europe. Using variety of materials and methods the artists have brought to life the theme of music.

The venue, St. Paul’s Church, designed by architects Robert Maguire and Keith Murray was consecrated in 1960 and is the first church in this country with the altar in its central space.
This mosaic mural around the altar, commissioned in 1963, represent the “Angels of the Heavenly Host”, by Charles Lutyens, haloed, winged and clothed in white and in an open attitude of worship, underlining the universality of faith. Luyens created the mural single- handedly directly onto the walls of the church over a five-year period and with the sensitive help of a friend during the last year, completed it in 1968.

BAMM is also holding the British Mosaic Forum on Saturday 28th October 2012 at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Tickets available on the web.