Con Kiernan . About

"Perfect workmanship;
Beautiful designs and colour choices;
Each piece of tile or glass is individually cut to shape the design."
 
- Ron Sang, Architect and Patron of the Arts
 
Sonia King, internationally respected Mosaic Artist says of Con's work: "Con's spiderweb use of tile, glass and grout is as good as I have seen anywhere."
 
"I particularly like Con's grace and rhythm in his work." Lilli Ann Rosenberg (Creator of the Boston Station 10ft x 100ft mosaic.)
 
"It's taken me a long time to become a mosaic artist. I first worked in education, directing a Centre for Adult Education. I received an MA in Adult Psychology and Learning from Fordham University NY; this programme included a course in Moral Psychology at Harvard University. After 11 years in education as an assistant and later director of the Adult Education Centre, I took an 8 month sabbatical in the US in 1983 to pursue a long held desire to "do art". My style was pen and ink, of people and places, in a pointillism format.
 
Since, I have spent 20 years of self-employment in graphic art specialising in the design of printed promotional materials, product launches; basically whatever promotional activity was needed by the client. But "doing art" remained a fulltime desire.
 
In 2001, I started this mosaic artform part-time with the development of art pieces. Five major pieces have now been developed; the Pohutukawa (2400mm x 1200mm) took five months to complete and four other New Zealand flora pieces (1200mm x 1200) at least two months each using ceramic tiles, glass and mirror. Eig ht smaller pieces (900mm x 700mm) have been completed. This body of work now gives me a platform from which to launch new pieces, develop my mosaic art skills and earn a living. The fulltime plunge began in January 2003. I have exhibited pieces in the Ron Sang private exhibition and at Compendium's "Fit For A Queen" exhibition, opened by the British Ambassador. I have also exhibited and demonstrated the mosaic artform at the Westfield Pakuranga Mall, the Waikato Home and Garden Show and the Elerslie Flower Show as an independent artist to publically promote my work and the concept of mosaic as a genuine form of art.
 
I have attended the International Symposium on Mosaic Art in Melbourne in October/November 2004 to show images of my work. The reaction from my peers has been very good.
 
Why mosaic art and why New Zealand flora?
 
I like the "bigness" of the mosaic format; it is an ancient artform that has stood the test of time. Some of the world's significant art sites feature mosaic art. They astonish and uplift people; they encourage a sense of history creating a link between one age and another.
I have decided to treat iconic New Zealand themes in the mosaic form to capture the beauty of our country and to give us a greater sense of place; and native flora has become central to this endeavour. In the future, other themes will probably appear..time will tell.
 
How is the artform achieved?
 
The design is created on computer. This is transferred to a board prepared for indoor or outdoor use. Tiles and glass are chosen for the best effect, cut into individual shapes to match the design. (The "Pohutukawa" has approximately 6000 individually shaped pieces.) After the pieces are glued to the board, the whole mosaic is grouted. A characteristic Kiernan artpiece is given a copper border.
Some commission work might require a different process; the pieces might be placed on cloth gauze and transferred to a construction site where it will be placed on a concrete bed and later grouted. There are many ways of "doing" mosaics, each dependent on the placement required.
The art works already produced are stand-alone artpieces, for sale, and can be used on interior walls and entrance ways of homes, foyers of commercial buildings. They can also be used outside as feature pieces.
 
5 DAY LIVE-IN COURSES: YOU CHOSE WHEN. Get three people and choose a Course time to suit you.
 
Stay and study at our rural, garden property and gain
a charming, challenging, introduction to the world of mosaic art. Soundly launch yourself into this fascinating art form as a confident, skilled amateur or professional. Each course has a maximum of three participants, held at a time to suit participants.
 
Introduction:
My five day, Live-in Mosaic Art Course is focused on your skills and how to advance what you already know. Using my own experience and portfolio examples, while at the same time showing where other methods might be used, we will examine the theory in each case and establish best practice for various works. Before you come, if you get the chance, have a look at my website: kiernan-mosaicart.vc.net.nz
 
The Five Day Live-in Course is one that will challenge you to the extent you could gain the confidence to show a portfolio of your own work at some future date (e.g. the next Auckland Flower Show?), seek future commissions, or sell your work independently. On the other hand, if you are a beginner, the Course will provide you with a thoroughly grounded, detailed background (theory and practice) for taking mosaic art to whatever level you wish...well trained amateur or professional artist.
 
The main aspects covered over the week include, but are not limited to the following:
 
a) Design (including a visit to local artists and locations for image inspiration.
e.g. the Karangahake Gorge walkway entrance
b) Frame and substrate, hanging mechanisms
c) Materials to suit the design tiles, glass, smalti, rock, stones, etc
d) Tools
e) Adhesives, thin set, grouting etc
f) Sealing etc
g) Marketing and Commissions etc

Over the whole week we will be dealing with these issues and you will end up with a piece of work not necessarily completed, but started and being readied for your own portfolio.
 
Food and Accommodation:
The Course cost is $1,200.00 (Incl Gst) for:
5 days tuition: 9.00 - 5.00 Monday to Thursday and 9.00 - 4.30 Friday.
4 nights accommodation with all meals plus morning and afternoon teas provided.
Deposit of $600.00 is payable on booking.
Balance payable by beginning of week prior to Course commencement.
 
My wife, Diane, and I look forward to welcoming you to our place and are confident you will enjoy the experience.
 
CONTACT: Con Kiernan, NZ Mosaic Art, 87 Old Waitekauri Rd, Waikino RD2 Waihi 3682; P O Box 290 Waihi 3641. EMAIL: con@diconpartners.co.nz; WEBPAGE: kiernan-mosaicart.vc.net.nz; PHONE: 07 863 9509; FAX: 07 863 9508.
 
Links
Sonia King, Internationally recognized Mosaic Artist and writer:
www.mosaicworks.com
Brooks Tower, internationally recognized mosaic artist:
brooks-tower.com
David Chidgey, beautiful stained glass mosaic mandalas:
www.artglassmosaics.com
Jacki's images of women in quirky but illuminating poses in mosaic:
www.jackigranmosaics.com
Terry Nicholl's stunning Canadian images:
www.terramosaic.com
Louise Herdman works in fine art mosaics and has just been accepted for Carey Arts Review; the only mosaic chosen:
www.mosaicpictures.co.nz
To view further mosaic artists, visit:
http://www.contemporarymosaicart.com
The Artfind link gives access to New Zealand artists and their web sites.
www.artfind.co.nz

Awards:
•Reviewed in September 2006 "GROUT" magazine of the British Association of Modern Mosaic (BAMM).
•Selected as one of six worldwide in 2007 to review 1100 international mosaic artpieces: Results and review in augural international mosaic magazine published in USA, 'MOSAIC ART NOW'.