I create art panels and architectural installations from durable mixed media, emphasizing salvaged materials such as glass and stone floor tile, mirror glass, plate glass, computer parts, bottles from my neighbors' recycling bins, and beautiful, exotic junk from any bone yard or machine shop where I can legally obtain access. I also include classical mosaic materials such as smalti and gold, stained glass, and vitreous art tile, much of which is also salvaged from tile store dumpsters and architectural salvage outlets. My technique is grounded in the "mosaic grammar" of the Romans, whose designs were created primarily with quadrangular tesserae (mosaic "pieces") arranged according to ancient rules, which I bend and break. I cut each tessera by hand on the traditional Italian hammer and hardie, and bond parts into a whole with thinset cement mortar.
LATEST NEWS...
Right Now I'm working on a public art project for the City of Wenatchee's new Public Works and Public Administration building. The project includes a 46-square-foot exterior installation, and seven smaller-scale interior art panels. The works will be fabricated from 99.9% salvaged stone and glass, and chunky old watermain parts from the City's public works boneyard. Click here to see the prototype of the large-scale installation, and stay tuned for work-in-progress photos.
Then, I'll begin work on a large art panel that the City of Tualatin, OR, commissioned for the entryway of their brand new Public Library. The art panel will depict a rare species of tree known as Ampullacaeruleus floris (Bluebottle blossom tree), which thrives where Pacific Northwesterners make wise use of their resources. (If you have any empty Bombay Sapphire bottles, I need them!)
Then after that, I'll start work on another public art project for the City of Tacoma-Tacoma Power lobby and stairwell renovation. The project includes a series of "durable mixed media collage" art panels composed of beautiful salvaged junk from Tacoma Power's electrical shop. I like to think of the art panels as post-post-modern display cabinets. The first four images in my gallery show the maquettes I created for the commission competition.
In case you come across a copy, The April 2008 issue of Metropolitan Home features a mosaic installation I created for Greg and Monica Smith. Or visit my Installations page, third and fourth images.
2008 - Gypsum Board is featured in the introductory edition of Mosaic Art Now.
Jo Braun © 2002-2008. All rights reserved, property of Jo Braun and Studio Ravenna LLC. Images may not be reproduced in any form except with artist's permission.
