The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc. presents ...

  Faces in Mosaic by CARMEL RITCHIE 

  mosaics in mixed media 

in the Budgeon’s display case, foyer Richmond Library

415 Church Street, Richmond

  16 August to 17 November 2022 

Reporter: Carmel O'Connor

“My art is to be viewed from the heart”, says Carmel Ritchie in her Artist Profile. Carmel’s educational exhibition of decoratively stunning small mosaic wall hangings at the Richmond Library is an important display of love for old and new bone china and porcelain crockery pieces so cleverly composed including jewellery, beads and other items reinvented as relief masks in a pictorially portrait format.

As I looked at these mosaic mask artworks, I found them enchanting and beautiful, and she has used such a range of different types of china. They are indeed to be viewed from the heart. They are also very reasonably priced. Carmel writes in her support material: “My faces are very expressive relief works which capture emotion. I use old crockery, jewellery, beads and other items in my designs.”

“Some mosaics have the inclusion of family items which make the piece far more emotional and personal.”

Carmel Ritchie’s display in The Budgeon’s Case, Richmond Library

Eva, mixed media, 22 x 24 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Penelope, mixed media, 22 x 24 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Smile, mixed media, 22 x 24 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Rosie, mixed media, 22 x 24 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Man and Fish, mixed media, 25 x 30 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Girl with the Butterfly Clip, mixed media, 25 x 30 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

Carmel creates these mosaic works using commercial tiles as bases, then adding various materials including beads, old jewellery, crockery and an assortment of interesting items with which she forms the faces. They are meant to be hung inside, protected from the weather.

A Rose in Her Hair, mixed media, 25 x 30 cm, by Carmel Ritchie

The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria offers members a unique opportunity of a solo exhibition of new works in the Budgeon’s Case, located in the foyer of the Richmond Library. It is with great pleasure that the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria presents this body of art works by Carmel Ritchie in the Budgeon’s display Case at Richmond Library until 17 November 2022.