NORMALLY, if it is broken, it loses its value. But for mosaic artist Gigi Campos, she got inspired to create her own art pieces made of the broken pieces of ceramic, glass tesserae and tiles.
Gigi Campos started her journey into the world of mosaic art two decades ago.
It was on a trip that she first came across various mosaic installations in churches, palaces and historical monuments in Europe.
“It was the mosaic work though of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain that left a lasting impression in my consciousness,” Campus shared.
“I loved his radical approach to mosaic which was to mix traditional square cut tesserae with irregularly shaped pieces selected from broken ceramic tiles, stained glass and other found objects. I was mesmerized by his work and marveled at his creativity, as seen in the curves, shapes, and a wide range of materials he skilfully used in his installations. The natural forms, colors and freedom in the images of his mosaic work were to me a testament to his creative genius. This inspiration would lead me to discovering mosaic making as a new art form,” she said.
Campos did her first mosaic installation, a 4ft by 8ft high mosaic image of the sun which prominently greets visitors at their vacation home “Solana” in south of Negros Occidental. She was hooked and many more mosaic installations followed - stairs, benches, tables and garden decor.
“I began to look at things from an entirely new perspective. My eyes started to see mosaic patterns and possibilities in practically everything and everywhere. Inspiration came from walking along the beach, examining a delicate leaf, choosing fabrics and going through old scrapbooks. And as I worked on different pieces, I discovered that in the act of making art from broken pieces I was actually repairing the fractures of my own soul. I realized that some of the most beautiful images came from shattered pieces of something that was once whole. Mosaic art is therapy. From the busyness of everyday life, there is tranquility and fulfilment when working on a mosaic piece,” she said.
Over the years, her faith led her to work with individuals and couples in need of inner healing.
Through her own brokenness, she saw an opportunity to help others see beyond the traumatic and painful experiences in their lives and find new purpose.
“I truly believe that in the broken pieces of our past we can all create new wholeness. When I worked, nothing was ever discarded. Every piece was kept so it could be used in some future project. Mosaic making has that mystical ability of taking us beyond ourselves and into ourselves both at the same time. Just as in life, it became a choice of creating an inspiring mosaic or sweeping away a mountain of purposeless broken pieces. This is why I find such fulfilment sharing my passion and knowledge of mosaics with others through my workshops,” she said.
Her mosaic work has followed the different aspects of her reality that are interconnected in some way.
“One aspect is that of having deep and lifelong relationships with the women in my life, relationships that have remained strong – my mother, my sisters, my daughters and friends. The different facets of these women continue to inspire me in my work. The other aspect of my reality is my faith which has inspired me to create various mosaics of the cross, the symbol of my faith and images of Mary, the mother of God,” she added.