African-Canadian artist Yisa Akinbolaji has created a dynamic, dazzling, elegant and elongated new mosaic for the front yard of his home in 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada. The large mosaic "Peace and Purpose" (16 ft by 3.2 ft) is made of tiny glass tiles in 42 brilliant colors. "The colours evoke celebration and inclusion," says Yisa. "Glass tiles are very versatile and will stand up even under our harsh climactic conditions." Yisa's message in "Peace and Purpose" is depicted for an international audience as well as people that will pass by his residence. The concept alone was three months in the making. The tiling and installation took more than two months. The images in "Peace and Purpose" dazzle the eye. There are images of bounty, serenity and prosperity. The colours unleash the mystery of hope, peace and joy. At this critical time in the world's history, Yisa's message in Peace and Purpose provides a challenge for all to see beauty in the ashes. The mosaic is available in limited and open edition, framed and unframed.
Meaning: Yisa started with one tile and ended with 10, 080 tiles in 42 colours that tell the story of Peace and Purpose. The story merges light with dark. Within the light you will see a dove, a flutist, a rose, and much more. You will also see a shooting star, a Chinese symbol, and a ladder, all indicating good things coming out of darkness.
Yisa Akinbolaji's mosaic stopped traffic on the street of Winnipeg
by Martin Zeilig
July 6th, 2007
Excerpts:
THE unveiling of a dazzling, multi-hued mosaic -- composed of 10,080 tiny glass tiles ¬¬-- fastened to the front of a modest-sized, bi-level house in 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg, St. Vital "literally stopped traffic on the street," according to the man who created the work of art on his house.
Measuring five metres by one metre, the mosaic by artist Yisa Akinbolaji, entitled Peace and Purpose, is what one might term a study in patterned elegance with its stylized peace dove, the Chinese symbol for prosperity, and a star, among other elements. It is reminiscent of the mosaics found on floors and walls among the ruins of Ancient Rome, albeit in a more modern mode.
Akinbolaji, who studied at the Yaba College of Art and Technology in Lagos and later advertising art at Red River College, had his oil and acrylic paintings displayed at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre in April 2006, and at a juried exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery arts rental and sales in May. He has also been featured on local French and English CBC TV broadcasts.
"My work is not complete until people have enjoyed seeing it," says the former president of the Manitoba Society of Artists, whose latest large mosaic work in Nigeria is entitled The Good Shepherd and was installed in Ikeja, Lagos in "a limited colour palette."
Akinbolaji said the idea for the house mosaic started out as a concept on a blank space.
"Then, I asked myself, 'What do I really want to communicate here on this open canvas?' And so the idea of Peace and Purpose emerged. Following that idea, I did some preliminary sketches," he said.
On the faux wood floor of his lower-level home studio, he meticulously assembled the tiles piece by piece into square sections on sticky "tack paper" before transferring each section onto a sturdy plywood backing on which he had applied a special mortar.
"I applied a liquid sealer over the tiles for maximum protection," said Akinbolaji.
"I hope my mosaic installation will encourage architects and government to improve on the installation of public art."
Used with permission © Winnipeg Free Press
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Hello Folasele, great video, and what incredible artwork! You should consider submitting this video to the Canada’s Got Treasures collection by joining our YouTube group (/group/TresorTreasure). It would be made available on our channel and website. Help celebrate Canadian diversity!
Hamish,
Canada's Got Treasures, a VMC initiative
TreasuresTresors 1 year ago
Beautiful mosaic artwork!
Peace to you!
serialdad 3 years ago