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ITV's low brow tabloid news programme 'Tonight' , hosted by Trevor MacDonald, broadcast a scandalous feature on the Erith Fish Sculpture this month. A panel of Grumpy Old Gits voted this 25 foot high mosaic landmark a waste of money. With absolutely no evaluation of its function, no discussion of the value of art in our society and no representative to speak for the work this panel of net curtain twitchers whined and whinged about how the money could be better spent with that familiar 'should have been spent on drains type comments. The artists was not invited to defend the work or even informed of the programme, I wonder if the producers think that their salary might be better spent on a kidney machine for the NHS or a teacher for a local school? find out more about the sculpture here:- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | It was 20 YEARS AGO... It was about twenty years ago now that Gary completed a 64 foot long mural depicting the story of Oliver Twist as a 'Slice of Life in the London of 1837'. The Oliver Twist story was first published in 1837 so this was commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary. The mural was painted in signwriters enamels onto board and fixed in a corridor at the North Middlesex Hospital. | | |||
Merlin Engine - the power behind the Spitfire celebrated Pictured here in the studio awaiting installation is one of four panels for an artwork collaboration with artist metal worker Chris Campbell. The panels form the top section of a marker sculpture for the town of Hucknall in Nottinghamshire. The panel pictured here celebrates Rolls Royces association with the town and in particular the development of the Merlin aircraft engine. More later when the work is unveiled. | |||||
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 | just The Chicago Mosaic School hosted a Master Class creating large scale mosaics using the Indirect Technique by Gary in October. The class created two friezes for Drummond Magnet Montessori School, a Chicago Public School. The freizes were designed by Gary on the theme of Feathers and made by the students. | ANDAMENTO If you are interested in mosaic art you need the new mosaic journal from the British Association of Modern Mosaic (BAMM). Six in depth essays on contemporary mosaic, 40 pages in full colour available here:- | ||||||||||
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MOSAIC INSPIRATION Whilst teaching at the Chicago Mosaic School Gary was able to visit the Garfield Park Conservatory who had an inspirational exhibition of the work of Niki de Saint Phalle who died in 2002. These giant colourful mosaic sculptures are full of both joy and meaning, two attributes which are sometimes portrayed as incompatible in modern art. | ||||||||||||
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PROJECTS 2006-2007 Roman Medusa Mosaic Erith Cross Keys Frieze mosaic Trompe L'oeil mosaic Holyhead - Celtic Gateway mosaics Pedestrian link for rail station 7.5m mosaic sculpture landmark Giant mosaic and metal columns A new twist on the mosaic pond Nursery School Playground | AWARD NEWS The 'Scent of a Roman' show garden at the RHS Chelsea flower show this year won a Silver Medal and featured Gary's Roman Medusa mosaic remains as it's central focal feature The Erith Fish sculpture received the second prize in the prestigious Rouse Kent Public Art Award. Chaired by Richard Cork art critic, art historian, broadcaster, and writer on Art for the Times and New Statesman. Gary was also recently presented with his certificate of award for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship by the Lord Chambelain the Earl Peel, pictured below... Yes that is Gary, wearing a suit and tie... you might not see that again soon! | |||||||||||
 | After a great struggle to complete the work, the lights were finally switched on for the completion of the Erith Earth Core Columns. The five columns rising from the pedestrian underpass are constructed from metal and Venetian Glass Smalti, the top three columns (pictured above) consist of rings of polished steel and transparent smalti. Whilst the lower columns, the tallest of which is 5metres high, use coloured glass smalti with Corten, copper, bronze and steel. |  | ||||||||||
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All images are protected by International Copyright Law ©2007 Gary Drostle | ||||||||||||
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