Scavenging for treasures with boundless curiosity and finding patterns in everyday life is something I have done since early childhood.
 
I collected shells and would store them in salt water in old chocolate topping jars until the water went green. Assemblage was what I did - cutting and pasting anything I could find. I studied textile studies throughout high school. Now I make mosaics using found objects, crockery, recycled tiles and upcycled natural materials

I made my first mosaic in 2001. Living in regional Victoria and looking at the ground became a habit and a wonder to behold, because of the slate, granite and old broken china and old tiles that could be found in our garden and on bush tracks.

Over time people became aware of my passion for mosaics and started giving me their chipped, cracked and broken items- china cups, plates, vases, ceramics, remnant tiles, excess marble and travertine from pool installations and landscaping projects.

I am driven by a commitment to sustainability and the vast majority of materials used are rescued, donated or upcycled. 


Sharing the learning journey 

I have been influenced and taught by various artists, in Australia and Italy. 

Since 2009 I have been mentored by renowned mosaic artist Helen Bodycomb and have attended classes with other mosaic artists and teachers.  Together with 10 other Australian mosaic artists, I went on a study tour of Italy led by Helen in 2017.

During this life-changing learning experience, I was fortunate enough to be taught traditional Italian mosaic techniques at the Scuola Mosaicisti Friuli in the northern town of Spilimbergo. Our teacher on this short course was Carolina Zanelli. Carolina's background is beautifully described in this profile by the Chicago Mosaic School.

Another highlight of this tour was a four day stint learning the Ravenna double reverse method at Koko Mosaico with talented artists and teachers Arianna Gallo and Luca Barberini.

I am always keen to learn and share new skills and this year have begun my Certificate IV in visual arts at Melbourne Polytechnic ( formerly Northern Melbourne Institute of Technology). 

While the Italian learnings have left a lasting mark on my approach to what I make, it is the "picassiette" style that influences most of my work - using something old or obsolete to create something unique that holds a pattern and carries beauty and meaning for its owner. Like many other mosaic artists, my studio looks like a cross between a lolly shop and shambles, but each precious item does find its place eventually. 

I strongly believe that making patterns is a strong driver for many of us, its been part of the human condition for thousands of years and making mosaics is a great way to settle the mind, help you focus and bring pleasure to you and the people around you. 


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Amanda Tattam 
2022