Liz de Ath - mosaic artist
Mosaics is such a creative and intuitive medium. I try to approach every
project afresh with a belief that the materials, their colours, textures and
shapes are going to guide me through the making process. And this along with
the practicalities of each commission provided by the client -- the space,
the colours, the budgetary constraints, the community to work with, all
provide a strong framework for the mosaic project. And that floats my boat.
My art school years, some time ago now, were dominated by abstract concepts.
'What does the work mean?' was the cry at Goldsmiths College where I studied.
I am privileged to have a degree in Ceramics and
Textiles from there but it was only a couple of years later that I fell into the
'muck and bullets' world of mosaics. Then I founded Inspired Mosaics and my
creativity began to flourish.
Some 12 years later this website shows the extent of our mosaic-making and
the experience gained from every job successfully completed. I'm not a 'one-size-fits-all'
person and enjoy adapting to the needs of clients and their
project. Whether
creating a mirror
to work with a bathroom colour scheme, making a
three-dimensional mosaic sunflower
with six-year olds for the school foyer or researching the history of the splitting of an atom for a
mosaic to adorn the Marie Curie research centre,
it all makes for a varied and interesting life.
Working at Inspired Mosaics also means contact with widely and wildly varying
people. That is a bonus. Teaching mosaics at our
Mosaic Summer Schools
has provided the chance to make
some good friends. And working with different community groups from primary,
secondary and special needs school children, to youth centres, prisons,
residential care homes can be a humbling experience. What I come away with
is the satisfaction of helping people access their creativity. That is one of
the many strengths of the creative art of mosaics - it is accessible,
democratic, versatile and long lasting.
Above: Liz by a freshly completed Victorian fireplace mosaic
Testimonials
From Sharon Azouz, Landscape Architect
I was impressed by Elizabeth de Ath's thoughtful consideration of the client's needs.
She worked quickly and effectively, responding well to budgetary and time constraints. The result:
a highly successful balcony feature in Maida Vale, London.'
See Gallery 7
From Anne Elford, Head Teacher, Windsor Primary School, Toxteth, Liverpool.
Liz, your finished mosaic for our school is fantastic. It has been admired
and commented on by children and adults alike. The colours are great - each
time I look it shines in a different way or I notice something I haven't seen
before. Thank you for your hard work. It is everything we hoped for - and
more - and will give us great pleasure for many years to come, a really
inspiring piece of work.
See here for examples of Inspired Mosaics work with schools.