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Since childhood, I have collected objects with boundless curiosity and patterns in everyday life.
Assemblage and making patterns was an everyday activity—cutting and pasting anything around me. I adored any kind of 'art and craft' at school and embraced textile studies in high school. These days I work with found objects, crockery, plastic, metal, recycled tiles, textiles, paper and other upcycled natural materials. I love to work with others who want to make something or just explore their creativity. My interest in mosaic beganover 20 years ago. Living in regional Victoria, looking at the ground became a habit and a wonder to behold. Slate, granite, old broken household china and tiles could be found in our garden. Over time, people became aware of my passion for mosaics and varied applications. They gave me their chipped, cracked and broken items- china cups, plates, vases, ceramics, remnant tiles, excess marble and travertine from pool installations and landscaping projects. Stained glass artists have donated their shards and materials left over from their own work. I am driven by a commitment to sustainability in my art practice, and the vast majority of the materials I use are rescued, donated or upcycled. Sharing the learning journey I am influenced by many visual artists and am particularly drawn to people with a focus on upcycling and sustainability. I have learnt from artists such as Caitlin Hepworth, Helen Bodycomb, Cetta Pilatti, Helen Bellino, Mirielle Swinnen and Tamara Froud. In 2025 on a trip to the UK, I interviewed the wonderful Francessca Busca a UK artist who makes art from trash and has an inspiring sustainable approach to making art. I went on an Italian study tour with ten other Australian mosaic artists in 2017. learning traditional Italian mosaic techniques at the Scuola Mosaicisti Friuli in the northern town of Spilimbergo. Our teacher on this short course was Carolina Zanelli, whose background is beautifully described in this Chicago Mosaic School profile. Another highlight of this tour was a four-day stint at Koko Mosaico with talented artists and teachers Arianna Gallo and Luca Barberini. I am always keen to learn and share new skills and in 2023, I completed a Certificate IV in Visual Arts at Melbourne Polytechnic. The learning never stops! Many people are strongly motivated by having a creative life and making patterns. It's been part of the human condition for thousands of years. Mosaics have many versatile applications. You can produce 2D and 3D works for walls, floors, and gardens and bring materials to life that may otherwise be discarded. Many find this creative outlet settles the mind, and the works produced bring a sense of accomplishment and pleasure to the people who appreciate the beauty and story behind each creation. Amanda Tattam 2026 |
