Author Archives: Rhona Duffy

“Imperfection is one of the things that makes mosaic beautiful”

Reading Time: 14 minutes In our latest interview, Rhona Duffy puts ten questions to American artist Amy Neiman. A graphic designer by profession, Amy says the desire to learn mosaic art was brewing inside her for some time before she started studying and creating mosaics back in 2003. Amy shares her inspirations, favorite techniques and materials, technical tips, plans for the future and more.

Rigged: Julie Sperling’s latest solo show runs until 30 June

Reading Time: 4 minutes Julie Sperling’s latest solo show Rigged is underway at the Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener (Ontario, Canada) and runs until 30 June. Rhona Duffy catches up with Julie to explore the inspirations behind this new body of work.

“Education does not make art – you have to do the work on your own”

Reading Time: 10 minutes A creator who has always been compelled to make things, Kim Wozniak trained in architectural design before turning towards mosaic. The busy owner of four internet mosaic businesses, Kim creates whenever she possibly can. Now approaching retirement age, she’s looking forward to devoting more of her time to creating. Kim is teaching a workshop at the upcoming Contemporary Mosaic Arts 2 (CMA2) conference in Eugene, Oregon, in May. Here, in the next of a series of interviews in partnership with CMA2, Rhona Duffy catches up with Kim.

Class Act 2024 exhibition underway in Chicago

Reading Time: 4 minutes An exhibition of works by past and present students of The Chicago Mosaic School is underway at the Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics in Chicago. We take a look at some of the works that are on show.

A new partnership with the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA)

Reading Time: 3 minutes We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) and Mosaic & Glass magazine! From Issue 8 onwards, members of SAMA will start to receive a printed and digital copy of Mosaic & Glass magazine as part of their membership benefits along with an exclusive discount on back issuesContinue reading “A new partnership with the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA)”

What would the Romans have created today? (Read an extract)

Reading Time: 5 minutes Belgian mosaicist Mieke Ceusters set out to answer this question in her series Roman with a Twist. She combines technical mastery with observations from today’s world to create Roman mosaics with a contemporary twist – all delivered with a large dash of humour. To celebrate Mieke’s current exhibition at Hem, France, where she’s the guest of honour, read an extract from the full feature on Mieke, which was published in Issue 7. And order your copy now to read the full nine-page feature on Mieke.

“It’s a personal choice to pick up the pieces and make something anew”

Reading Time: 14 minutes San Diego artist Kim Emerson describes her mosaic work as a calling. Through a serendipitous encounter with artist and architect James Hubbell, Kim became involved in building a kindergarten school in Mexico. The project marked the beginning of Kim’s lifelong dedication to mosaic. Kim is the keynote speaker at the upcoming Contemporary Mosaic Arts 2 (CMA2) conference in Eugene, Oregon, in May. Here, in the first of a new series of member spotlights in partnership with CMA2, Rhona Duffy talks to Kim about her life’s work and she reveals her plans for the future. 

Maine artist’s mosaics bring joy: an interview with Amanda Edwards

Reading Time: 13 minutes Amanda Edwards, who lives on Maine’s coast in the USA, finds inspiration around every corner. While she’s most inspired by a foggy, rainy or snowy day, her work is often bright, joyful and whimsical. Amanda delves into a treasure trove of memories from her childhood imagination in her commissions for children’s hospitals and schools. And she enjoys hosting mosaic retreats around the world. Here, Rhona Duffy asks Amanda about her influences, most memorable projects, ideas of what success is, and more. Plus, Amanda shares three technical tips about her favoured materials and processes.

The Met presents the first major exhibition on the connections between African and Byzantine art

Reading Time: 6 minutes ‘Africa & Byzantium’ at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York features nearly 200 artworks, including mosaics, many of which have never before been exhibited in the United States. It runs until 3 March 2024.

Breaking tiles, building communities

Reading Time: 15 minutes After a 25-year career in local government, Paul Perry from Bargara in Queensland, Australia, completed a degree in visual arts, which led to an art journey through drawing, mural painting, sculpting and – ultimately – mosaic. Rhona Duffy catches up Paul about a range of topics, from his preferred materials, tools and techniques, to his definition of success in the world of mosaic art. Discover Paul’s reflections on the importance of mosaics to society, the role of his art in personal wellbeing, and the exciting projects he has on the horizon for 2024 and beyond.

Studio glass founder Harvey K. Littleton’s legacy explored in Wisconsin exhibition

Reading Time: 6 minutes More than 60 years ago, Harvey K. Littleton introduced the United States’ first university-based studio program in glass art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison). The Chazen Museum of Art at UW–Madison explores this transformative moment and the artistic advances that followed in the recently opened exhibition ‘Look What Harvey Did’.

Part 2: More bucket-list destinations for mosaic lovers

Reading Time: 10 minutes Underground, overground and high in the sky, Angela Youngman takes a look at some more mosaic destinations to be found across the globe in a special website feature. (Pictured above: Funktional Vibrations at 34 St Hudson Yards Station. Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York.)