Collision Study No. 1

Collision Study No. 1 captures an early exploration of the visual language that would later become central to my artistic practice: the intersection of handmade tile, mosaic craftsmanship, and contemporary mark-making.

Created in collaboration with artist Peyton Scott Russell, the work translates the energy and movement of graffiti lettering into ceramic form. Look closely and the composition reveals the fragment "ton," a remnant of Russell's original handstyle, preserved within the mosaic as both signature and artifact.

Constructed from reclaimed Mercury Mosaics tile and contour-cut handmade ceramic elements, the piece reflects my lifelong fascination with transformation—elevating production remnants into something expressive, permanent, and deeply personal. The work also contains an early red glaze that has since been retired from the Mercury Mosaics palette, making it a unique artifact of my studio's material history.

Balancing precision with spontaneity, Collision Study No. 1 stands as an important early example of my evolving artistic voice, where architectural material meets contemporary expression.

This work is offered as a shared-authorship piece, honoring the original creative collaboration that brought it to life.

Materials & Process

Hand-cut mosaic composed of reclaimed ceramic tile and contour-cut handmade subway tile. Fabricated in Minneapolis using upcycled material from Mercury Mosaics’ production stream.

Dimensions
21"H × 39"W

Original artwork