This is a 26’x5′ mosaic mural featuring large flying butterflies representing hope and transformation. COVID19 art project. Glass tile, cut mirror, glass gems, and fused glass elements are included in the mosaic mural materials. Installed in April 2022.
Inspiration & Design – The art project was inspired by the graduating class of 2020. The mural was a response to COVID19 by the students who wanted to commemorate that unique time and leave a message of hope.
This image shows the mosaic in afternoon light with more intense reflection on the cut mirror tiles and iridescence in the glass used for piecing the mosaic butterflies.
The students of the Class of 2020 wanted to leave a hopeful mark of beauty as they themselves fledged into their adult lives. They wanted to mark the year that COVID19 struck with a beautiful art installation symbolizing hope and transformation through difficult times.
I was inspired by the radial repeated patterns of mandalas for the shapes used to piece these mosaic butterflies. The radial aspect also enhanced the sense that the butterflies were moving/flying.
This mosaic butterfly shows detailed spiral mosaic piecing and the dramatic difference from the basic teal glass color and how the iridescence comes alive at certain angles.
Stained glass is cut into intricate shapes mimicking the gossamer wings of butterflies. I used iridescent glass to further enhance the color and make it dynamic so it changes as the sun moves across the mosaic mural. It also changes with the changing viewing angle of the viewer.
Afternoon light brings out the beauty of the glass.
This mosaic butterfly shows the iridescent cobalt blue glass with less iridescence and the image above it shows the iridescence in full beauty.
Cut mirror was used in the graceful mosaic background banner connecting the butterflies. A banner provided a more elegant way to hold the words than to have them float on the wall.
Detail of fused glass butterflies.
