About

 

Mercedes Austin:
Exploring structure, material, and growth through mosaic.

I am a mosaic artist focused on structure, material, and systems of growth. My practice explores growth not as a metaphor, but as a system—how form develops through constraint, interruption, and continuity. I am drawn to moments where order and chaos coexist, and where structure does not resolve tension, but holds it.

Materials & process

I work with reclaimed ceramic tile and steel, allowing material history to remain present in the finished work. Tiles are hand cut or wet-saw cut; steel elements are powder-coated and used as structural interventions rather than ornament. I’m interested in precision that leaves room for variation, and in systems that adapt rather than finalize.

My background

My background spans fine art, large-scale installation, and architectural collaboration. Over time, my practice has narrowed—not to limit possibility, but to create the conditions for deeper work. The focus now is clarity, material intelligence, and sustained inquiry.