Myself and one of the lovely people I have trained in mosaics, Kirsteen, have been working this spring and summer with Spilimbergo graduate, Michela Ippoliti, to deliver an amazing community garden project in South London.
The Garden of Discovery is the vision of Mitcham Lane Baptist Church who, faced with a plot of unused land, chose to turn it into a beautiful garden for the whole community to use (rather than sell to property developers – big brownie points in my book…)
Discussions about mosaics in the garden started this time last year when I did site visits to the garden (which was at that point, still in a state of construction). What struck me immediately was that the garden was flanked by a huge red brick wall – stark and jarring next to the softness of the new planting. So I suggested the concept of “taking the garden up the wall” using mosaic – an idea they fell in love with.
With the initial concepts and sketches complete, I then co-opted the wonderful Kirsteen to take the lead artist role – which she did with huge enthusiasm and energy, sustained over months, to complete an array of wall mosaics – around 20 large and more than 30 small (spot all those lovely bits of dandelion fluff!), plus 6 stair risers.
All the mosaics (except the stair risers done in the reverse method) were done on wedi and were a mix of glass, vitreous and ceramic tiles, stone – grouted and ungrouted.
(Some close ups before they went high up on the wall…)
(Rain on the day of step riser installation – makeshift cover invented!)
(Steps in reverse)
(Pre-grouting the step risers – my 8 year old Isabella does her first installation!)
(Adding cement adhesive to the risers…)
(Wetting the brown paper to remove…)
It took us nearly a week to install (including climbing to dizzying heights on the scaffolding!). There were lots of laughs and fun and a few hairy “installation” moments of course!
(It’s a glue gun hold-up!)
(Putting the large – and heavy – 3d mushroom in place)
(Michela on top of the world!)
The results are stunning and the response from the local community has been amazing – it has certainly put mosaics on the South London map!
HI Concetta,
what beautiful work done by you and your colleagues! I love lookng at the designs in detail, thank you.
Thank you so much Claire 🙂
These are really, really fabulous – I think I spot something different every time I see them or drive past. Huge achievement and a fantastic addition to the church garden and our community. Thank you everyone involved x
Thanks Hazel – that’s so nice to hear 🙂
It’s fabulous Concetta!! I will be in London several times in 2015 and will be sure to put this on my list of things to do and see. Well done!
Donna, you must come and visit!
These are stunning, lovely to see these photos , thanks for sharing Concetta and lucky church to have had you all doing this 🙂
your work is magnificent, well done to all involved, truly inspiring.. Up there with Goudi xx
Fabulous work – I just lo
LOVE the vibrancy – and the steps are just amazing! Brilliant work – well done you and your team! X
Hi Concetta! well done and beautiful additions to the natural environment! i esp. like the stair risers. you deserve a rest!
Wow, that looks amazing.
I would like to try adding some mosaic to a wall. Someone has recommended that I apply to a mesh first and the stick it onto the wall. is that the method that you used?
Hi Jo
no we made them on Wedi board and using the reverse method. Sorry for late reply – only just saw your comment 😉