“Spring Abstract” by Cynthia Fisher
Beyond Representation- Exploring the Abstract and Nonobjective in Mosaic Art with Cynthia Fisher
Friday, February 5, 2021
11:00 am – 8:00 pm EST
Workshop: Hands-On
All Levels
Price: $295 (includes $10 Materials Fee)
BEYOND REPRESENTATION- Exploring the abstract and nonobjective in mosaic art Letting go of strict representation opens many doors for the artist willing to explore abstract and non-objective art. Abstraction is defined as “art that begins with a subject from external reality but does not attempt to represent it, rather it seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures” It is a way of creating art that is particularly suited to our medium of mosaic. Working with color, texture, and the essential attention to shape, the artist can create complex and visually stimulating work that should at its essence only be possible because the medium is MOSAIC. Non-objective art “takes nothing from reality but is created for purely aesthetic reasons”. In this workshop, we will begin with a PPT of abstract and non-objective art and mosaic art. I will share my approach to how I conceptualize my own abstract art. We will then continue with a hands-on mosaic created in the indirect method on sticky mesh. The goal of the workshop is to introduce the elements of art: line, color, shape, texture, value, and mark-making to design and create abstract and/or non-objective mosaic art. Once the hands-on part of the workshop begins, I will work one-on-one with each student to ensure everyone gets out of the workshop what they came for. Projects will be small so one can go home with an (un-grouted) mosaic attached to a substrate. Time permitting, we will have a short critique of what ‘worked’ or didn’t for each attendee to further enrich the learning experience for one and all. This session should particularly benefit those who are eager to explore a new approach to creating mosaic art or more advanced students that want to further investigate abstract and non-objective mosaic art. Students should bring a variety of materials for a small mosaic 6” x 6” and nippers. Working in the indirect method one can use different heights so do not limit yourself in choosing the materials you bring along. I will provide the trowel, thin-set mortar, substrates, sticky mesh, and Frosty contact paper for attaching.
Cynthia Fisher has been a professional artist for 30 years with a focus on mosaics since 2000. Her work ranges from large scale public art in children’s hospitals and town commons to mosaic pet portraits and house numbers for homes. Fisher was the lead artist for the mosaic marathon at the Boston 2018 SAMA conference. She does school residencies, teaches in her studio, BIG BANG MOSAICS and at craft centers nationwide, and always finds time for personal work creating award-winning abstract mosaics. Fisher participated in the 2014 Mosaic Intervention in Santiago, Chile, and has done 6 mosaic community projects in Guatemala since 2013 and will be returning in February of 2020 for 2 more community project murals. bigbangmosaics.com