Glorious. Stunning. Emotional. Vines of Memory and Gratitude (2014) by Leah Shafir Zahavi. Zahavis first mosaic, it was inspired by her mother, the much beloved artist and teacher, Ilana Shafir. Below is what the Zahavi has to say about the work. As you will see, her words are as thoughtful and elegant as her mosaic. Our gratitude to Zahavi for allowing us to share this on MAN. Artist Statement This mosaic was inspired by my late mother, Ilana Shafir, a teacher and mosaic artist. Mosaic has always been a place where I can meet my mother and walk with her, hand in hand, in both physical and spiritual spheres. I began this work half a year after my mother passed away. Even though she’s no longer here, mosaic is still a sure place where I can connect with her creativity, her life style, and philosophy. As I was working on this mosaic, the first and only one I have ever made, two creative tenets my mother used to say echoed in my mind: The first was “Surprise yourself!” Don’t take the safe, known, and predictable route. Instead, dare to walk an uncharted path, find a new solution, and do something you have never done before. The second was “Feel your materials and how they interact with each other.” Creating a mosaic is about unlocking the soul of each and every pebble. I held tight to these ideas as I plunged into the uncharted waters of my first mosaic. Description This work speaks to the beauty and expressive potential inherent in ceramics. I make all of my ceramic materials by hand, just as contemporary quilt-makers dye their own fabrics. Making my own material has been a way for me to develop my own creative handwriting. It allows me to speak a visual language that feels authentic and uniquely my own.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:12:06 +0000
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