Mia Tavonatti's 9' x 13' "Crucifixion" mosaic is made entirely of hand cut stained glass.
Mia Tavonatti's "Crucifixion" at the DeVos Place
"Crucifixion" Mosaic - Mosaic Artist - Mia Tavonatti
Crucifixion - A detail of Mia Tavonatti's 9'x13' stained glass mosaic.
"Crucifixion" - Stained glass mosaic detail - Mia Tavonatti
Reflections on Jesus - This image shows the light and textural qualities of stained glass mosaic.
Mosaic detail of Jesus - Mia Tavonatti's "Crucifixion" at the DeVos Place
Mosaic face detail - Mia Tavonatti's "Crucifixion" at the DeVos Place
Mosaic detail - Jesus' face pre-grout
Title: Crucifixion
Art form: 2-D
Medium: Stained glass mosaic
Year created: 2011
Description of work: Having done works for four churches in the last two years, it was an honor to be asked to create the altarpiece for the new Saint Kilian’s Catholic church in Orange County, California. After experiencing construction delays, I decided to commence the work and enter the 9′ x 13′ stained glass mosaic into Artprize. I am very excited to share my first altarpiece with Grand Rapids.
"Crucifixion" mosaic - piece by piece, section by section ... there is no rushing this process
I created this design by photographing my model in the woods of Santa Cruz, California, tied to a huge cross made of Home Depot beams, and wearing a crown of thorns crafted from a Michael’s wreath. By layering this imagery with two sunsets I photographed in Italy and Hawaii, I was able to compose the powerful light sources so relevant to this and all of my work. This “Crucifixion” took 2500 hours, is made of hand-cut stained glass, is attached to a custom wood structure and weighs 425 lbs. I drove Him across country by myself in two sections in a Penske truck. Mia Tavonatti
Mosaic detail - Jesus' feet pre-grout
You can follow Mia’s ArtPrize statistics at her personal page and read more about her 2011 submission. As for voting on the work – unfortunately you must register in person, but for those of you already registered or in the area – Week 2 voting ends 11:59PM, October 5… don’t forget to vote! Here is the way it works … Good Luck Mia!
Mia has been known to paint with glass… Her intricate stained glass mosaics weave her experience as a painter with her love of Renaissance mosaics. Mia’s work has earned much recognition including winning 2nd at Artprize 2010. (photos below)
"Svelata" mosaic - Mia Tavonatti - ArtPrize 2010 - 2nd place winner
Mosaic detail - "Svelata" - Mia Tavonatti ArtPrize 2010 - finished 2nd place
Mosaic detail - "Svelata" - Mia Tavonatti ArtPrize 2010 - finished 2nd place
Mosaic detail - "Svelata" - Mia Tavonatti ArtPrize 2010 - finished 2nd place
Mia has studied, lived and exhibited extensively in the US, Italy, France and Greece, and her numerous art instructional books have been published in over 20 countries. Recently, Mia unveiled her monumental series of oil paintings on canvas at the ancient Museo Arsenale in Italy.
Svelata – Recreating Creativity 2011 from Mia Tavonatti on Vimeo.
Mia has since returned to California and has formed the Svelata Foundation for the Arts and is currently producing the first Svelata World Tour. As a civilian Air Force Artist, Mia has enjoyed numerous adventures riding shotgun and documenting AF training missions including the 550th Search and Rescue teams at Kirtland AFB. and five days at Randolph AFB training for her first ride in a T38 supersonic jet trainer. Mia currently resides in California but is a native of Iron Mountain, MI.
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wow
I missed Art Prize 2011, thanks for showing me a piece of it!
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Awe inspiring!!!
I wish I could buy a print of the face detail of the crucifixion. I’ve spent a lot of time online looking for a portrait of Jesus to hang up in my room and I can’t believe you did it in mosaics! It is stunning.
Thank you. You can find one them in my store at ww.miatavonatti.com
Wonderful article! I have shared it with Mosaic Art NOW followers. Thanks so much.