Best contemporary mosaic artists you need to meet
I should state that I was quite bewildered when I discovered that some of the most researched topics concerning mosaic art were the topics about contemporary mosaic art. in my book, contemporary mosaic art is quite an oxymoron simply because I’ve always considered mosaic art to be completely timeless and pretty unrelated to any trends that are popular within a particular time period. I mean, it’s more than 4000 years old for crying out loud and it never stopped being created and desired, so putting “contemporary” and “mosaics” in the same sentence always seemed paradoxical to me, but here we are…
We are currently working on a series of articles where we incorporate mosaic artworks to fit or contrast some highly in-demand interior design trends in 2022, so on that note, we’ve already touched on the subject of contemporary in a way.
However, if we take into consideration that mosaic art as a permanent member of any contemporary period throughout human history should depict the topics, scenes, or trends of that particular period, then we can expand on this “best contemporary mosaics” subject.
JASON DUSSAULT
One of the first names that pop to mind when talking about contemporary mosaic art is most definitely Jason Dussault. Known for his often harshly realistic nostalgic iconography, Dussault manages to keep mosaic art on the top of the game in 2000s. His works carry a flair of urban youthfulness that truly manages to captivate current times within an ancient form of mosaic art.
EILEEN MCDONOUGH
We cannot talk about contemporary without singing an ode to the undeniable versatility when it comes to both topics and forms. One of the most diverse mosaic artists of today is a valued member of our renowned flock — Eileen McDonough. Known for her impeccable use of bright colors and exploration of a huge variety of topics, McDonough’s energetic approach to mosaic craftsmanship raises the meaning of contemporary to a whole new level. Chic and unapologetic, her fearlessness shines from all of her works.
JASON MIDDLEBROOK
Since the very beginning of mosaic art, it was used to transform spaces and elevate them into something else, adding almost another dimension to any wall or floor. No one knows that better than mixed media wiz Jason Middlebrook. His mosaic artworks have been turning mundane sites into dreamlands for years now. His famous outdoor installations named cleverly “Underlife” include tree trunks covered with mirrored glass tiles, so the forest floor looks like a wonderland in its own right.
TAKAKO HIRAI
We have to agree on the fact that contemporary art, in general, has to be somewhat connected to sustainability, since it is one of the most prevalent topics in cultural life in general. One of the mosaicists whose art incapsulates the movement at its basest form is most definitely the mosaic art of Takako Hirai. Her praised and beloved mused mosaics tell the tale of nature in all of its subtle glory. Subtle gradations of earthy tones, usage of irregular stones, and natural shades are legendary with the mosaic art community at this point.
NEZAR STEF
One of the mosaic wizards from our own rows, Nezar Stef is well-known for his remarkable usage of contrast and color. On the same note, we can’t talk about contemporary mosaic art without mentioning Stef. One of the focal points of contemporary modern is its careless lean into retro, and retro is something Nezar Stef does like no other. His bold use of disparities and clean lines brings retro into the present moment with charming ease and conviction.
These were some of the best mosaicists of contemporary mosaic art. Their favorite materials may be different, their respective styles and creative processes may vary, but their inventive approach to mosaic art is what unifies them in this lil story of contemporary mosaic art. (I still think that’s an oxymoron, but whatevs…)
