mosaic artist list 14

International Year of planetearth 2008 Mosaic Exhibition - Artists Directory

Susan Van Blanken - Netherlands - Contact Details : evanblanken@hotmail.com

**Winner**

"Nero" (Groundwater)

Artist Statement

This work represents how groundwater can be exploited as natural drinking water provided for by Planet Earth.
The unnatural rectangular form of the man-made sink represents modern technology which unfortunately is not always put to use for the benefit of the planet and mankind.
The powers of nature and technology should always be exploited beneficially for the earth and all its inhabitants.

The various layers of earth are depicted by contrasting textures, colours and thickness of fragmented glass, ceramic tiles, porcelain and pebbles ( from Kaki Thalassa, Greece) .
My work is influenced by Gaudi, Saint-Phalle, Klimt and the Scottish Colourists.
My inspiration comes from Nature, my children and Greece.
I was born in Scotland and lived in Greece for twenty years prior to moving to Holland four years ago.
The calming look to the layers producing our delicate Planet Earth on solid foundations.


Sedimentation, Fragmentation & River Bed	Fragmentation - Detail

Artist Statement

Using a fine line scratched into plaster I lay down my marks and imagery with slips in a sedimentary and modular way, prior to casting and firing. The resulting tiles are cut up and rebuilt into mosaics.
The process is gradual, and the mosaic drawings evolve slowly creating their own sense of time and narrative. There are parallels in the way that I work, and the materials I use, with the laying down of sedimentary deposits and the creation of rock strata, fossils and soil, trapping physical fragments and moments of time. The visual content and construction of these mosaics is informed by such ideas, and by an enduring interest in natural history and the making of the landscape.


Blue Ocean (Ocean)	Volcanic Rage (Hazards)	Icy Frenzy (Climate)

Artist Statement

Volcanic Rage

Volcanoes, one of the worlds natural hazards. Spontaneous energy erupting from deep within the earths core and burning its way up and through the land. Red hot lava flowing endlessly through rocks and crevices as it winds its way down the mountainside, leaving only blackness and destruction in its wake.

This piece reminds us that we must learn more about the risks that volcanoes pose, particularly to the communities living around them

Blue Ocean

Large parts of our oceans are fast becoming depleted of fish. We must manage our fishing practices and protect and care about the seas that sustain our planet. We must respect nature. We must leave a world fit for our children.

This pieces represents the unsustainable over fishing of large parts of the sea due to the greed and incompetence of mankind.

Ice Frenzy

As climate change begins the first sign we see is the ice caps melting and the sea levels rising.

This piece depicts climate change using large cracks shattering the ice. We must learn that if humanity doesn't change its irresponsible behaviour, whole communities of people and animals will disappear for ever.

Artist Statement

As an artist I see mosaic as a means to make new from the old - to mend broken pieces. I use it as a tool to rebuild one's life after it has been shattered, by using old pieces and integrating them with new ones. Mosaics also helps blending different parts of yourself who maybe exist in separate worlds to become whole again. It's a life experience recycling exercise that leads to a holistic life. It is a meditative and healing experience. It shows us how something is never broken beyond material for a new birth.


Calling in all the Angels (Earth & Health)	Hot Globe (Climate)	Riches (Deep Earth)