Emma is an award winning Maker of Wildlife Mosaics. She is largely self-taught and has been mosaicing for over 25 years under the name of abelmosaics. Initially Emma created mosaics of pattern, portraits and flora, but she changed her focus after a visit to the Bardo Museum in Tunisia which houses exquisite Roman wildlife mosaics. Since 2016 Emma has concentrated specifically on critically endangered species, aiming to raise awareness through international competitions and those closer to home, as well as via exhibitions and environmental charities.
In recent years abelmosaics has been shortlisted several times in the Explorers Against Extinction global Art initiative (over 6000 entries) and was selected as Runner Up for The Artist Award in 2020. In 2024 Emma’s mosaic “Cao Vit Gibbon” won a Silver Citation at The Wildlife Arts Society International exhibition. Emma’s work is in print and she has exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society and Natural History Museum in London as well as venues around the UK. Commissions have gone to various corners of the world including USA, Singapore and India, mostly to conservationists and those keen to support critically endangered wildlife. Emma donates a percentage of each sale to wildlife charities to support their valuable conservation work.
The method: Emma’s mosaics are worked directly onto mesh or board using ceramic, glass, marble, slate and granite. Eyes and beaks are handmade in fused glass to add personality. Each tuft of fur or ruffled feather is cut with precision in order to show the animal in its best light and a double layer technique is often used for extra texture. A mosaic can take between 30 to 90 hours to make.
Workshops with abelmosaics take place at weekends in Emma’s Somerset studio, and also in Devizes, Wiltshire. Students mosaic a 20cm board with tuition provided at each stage from “design” to “grout”. Students often return for several more workshops as its addictive! Please contact Emma for class dates.
Emma Abel
abelmosaics
@abelmosaics
mobile 07411107916