Chicago Mosaic Art: Piecing Together The Parts

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I interviewed Chicago mosaic artist Valerie Fuqua to find out about how she puts the pieces together.

Why mosaics?

Mosaics allow me to take something broken and form a new whole. It's an incredibly therapeutic art form. I love combining the old with the new, creating a marriage of sorts and giving items a second life. Glass can range from chunky and fierce to delicate and wispy. I never tire of the rich textures and reflective qualities of my tesserae.

What do you like about doing commissions?
Commissions help me grow as an artist. Whether it's incorporating a broken piece of heirloom china into a mosaic or matching colors in upholstery, it's always an exciting challenge. Some of my commissions have involved building a mosaic around a treasured family keepsake or found object. It means the world to me to be entrusted with something so close to someone's heart.