Mosaic art, with its rich history and intricate beauty, has captivated audiences for centuries. Among the contemporary masters of this craft is Gary Drostle, known worldwide for his vibrant, detailed, and artistically excellent works.
The Mosaic Fishponds cemented his reputation in the world of mosaic art. These stunning pieces turn ordinary spaces into lively, vibrant underwater scenes. Each tile and fragment come together to depict the serene and dynamic life of a fishpond.
Original Fishpond Mosaic In Croydon, London
One of Drostle’s most remarkable works is the original Fishpond Mosaic, created with Rob Turner in 1996 for Croydon Council, UK.Â
The London Borough of Croydon requested a small two-meter mosaic, simply instructing, “Do what you think will be best.” This open-ended brief was challenging for Drostle. Little did he know his trompe l’oeil fishpond design would inspire a series of similar works.Â
Creating a floor mosaic that mimics the surface of water is complex and captivating. Water’s ever-changing appearance—sometimes opaque, sometimes clear—reflects and distorts light, casting shadows and shifting colors. Capturing this in a mosaic requires skill but allows artistic freedom.
This careful use of shadows showed Drostle’s skill in making the fish look lifelike and integrated with their environment. Drostle used two types of shadows to enhance the fish’s realism.
Primary shadows shape the fish, highlighting their contours and dimensions. Secondary “shadow shadows” link the fish to the water, creating a seamless transition and adding harmony to the piece.
The Fishpond Mosaic achieved surprising success. It rapidly earned awards and received broad recognition. This marked the beginning of Drostle’s journey into depicting water in mosaic art.
Details On Mosaic Artist Gary Drostle
The success of the Original Fishpond Mosaic in Croydon, London, is a testament to Gary Drostle’s dedication. Gary remains deeply connected to his hometown, born in Woolwich, South East London, to a docker father and an artist mother.Â
Gary showed exceptional talent in art from a young age. His skill and passion guided him to pursue fine art studies at Camberwell School of Art, St Martins, and Hornsey Colleges of Art in London.
After graduating in 1985, he worked as a mural artist for Haringey Hospitals and founded the Haringey Mural Workshop. Their notable work was the “History of The Peoples Palace” murals for Alexandra Palace in 1987.
After the workshop disbanded, Gary formed Wallscapes with Ruth Priestley, creating their first mosaic, “Sunburst – the light at the end of the tunnel,” in his parents’ attic. This project marked a turning point in his career.Â
For more than ten years, Gary and Rob collaborated on many public art projects across the UK, such as the 1996 Fishpond Mosaic for Croydon Council. They went their separate ways in 2001 to follow individual artistic paths.
More Artworks By The Mosaic Master
Southampton East Park Mosaic
In 2000, Gary Drostle and Rob Turner were commissioned to create a nine-meter-diameter mosaic in Southampton East Park. Inspired by Caroline Ishgar’s design, which was influenced by the Croydon fishpond, this project pushed their mosaic skills to new heights.
Working with Landscape Design Associates, they faced the challenge of interpreting intricate marks in the design. Unlike their previous works, which were within their known skillset and color palettes, Ishgar’s design required them to innovate.Â
This challenge greatly improved their mosaic techniques and animated the mosaic surface as they adapted to the intricate design.
Carterton Town Square Mosaic
Continuing his exploration of fishponds, Drostle’s commission for Carterton Town Council blended surface movement and shadows. The mosaic in Oxfordshire beautifully combined these elements, creating a harmonious depiction of water.
Luxury Shower Room Mosaic
In a private Buckinghamshire residence, Drostle created a stunning luxury shower room mosaic in 2019.Â
This interior fishpond mosaic features a captivating waterfall, water-up jets, and a central drain, making it a truly unique wet room. The floor is adorned with swimming fish and a cascading waterfall, transforming the space into an enchanting aquatic oasis.
Enduring Impact And Legacy Of Gary Drostle
With thirty years of experience and numerous awards, Gary Drostle’s mosaics are in demand internationally. He has completed major commissions in the US and community projects in Colombia and Chile.Â
In the UK, his clients include Transport for London, Chester City Council, London Borough of Bexley, and The Royal College of General Practitioners.
Gary’s dedication led to his election as Chair and then President of the British Association for Modern Mosaic. He regularly lectures at the Chicago Mosaic School and has spoken at conferences for the British Association and the Society of American Mosaic Artists in various US cities.
His interest in mosaic art and British heritage prompted him to help found the BAMM Andamento mosaic journal, serving on its editorial board to document the craft’s history.