A mosaic artwork to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of Our Lady of the Assumption School in Enoggera, Brisbane
- Took over 12 months to create
- Mosaic is 3.5m x 2.9m in size and installed 2m above ground level
- Involved nearly all the students (300) and many teachers
- Estimated 50,000 pieces of ceramic tile on 71 individual mosaic panels
Starting point for this project was a photo of a historical pastel painting and a famous text by Benedictine of Nursia. The mosaic artwork was to involve the whole school community, but would allow a large area for the artist to interpret this material. The design phase went very smoothly and then we were away – with 12 months from go to whoa!
Knowing the installation challenges, and the bedlam it would be to work with so many students I chose to create the mosaic on 71 cement boards which would all be screwed to the wall individually and then grouted in.
![artist Brett Campbell looking over a huge mosaic design Commemorative mosaic artwork broken into 71 pieces with designs drawn in](https://www.mosaics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/commemorative-mosaic-artwork-drawing-225x300.jpg)
Artwork broken down to 71 bite-size pieces and the designs drawn in
Through a series of workshops and a friendly and clever school community we were able to get the outside pieces made within time and they came out great.
![students working on a large mosaic mural Photos of students creating mosaic artworks during the school mosaic workshops.](https://www.mosaics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/commemorative-mosaic-artwork-kids-300x150.jpg)
Great skills on display during the school mosaic workshops.
![lettering and colourful backgrounds in mosaic Mosaic artworks completed at the school mosaic workshops](https://www.mosaics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/commemorative-mosaic-artwork-kids-works-300x180.jpg)
Ungrouted, but the completed student’s mosaics are looking good
Construction of the main artwork brought many challenges but the biggest one was with myself – maintaining the discipline and patience for a whole year on one project. As it turned out I thrived on it and would have to say it was the most fulfilling year of my mosaic career sofar. Bring on a 3 year project!!
![Installed huge mosaic with artist Brett Campbell Mosaic artist Brett Campbell with his completed commemorative mosaic artwork](https://www.mosaics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/commemorative-mosaic-artwork-large-mosaic-mural-wall-226x300.jpg)
He’s on the wall and the journey ends!