Artist Gila Rayberg shares a collection of fascinating mosaics created using upcycled and found materials. Discover more by visiting her website.
Lost in the Woods, mosaic, 6” x 6”
As the world slowed during the Covid era, so did I. Accustomed to traveling frequently to teach and create portraiture using pique assiette—a mosaic technique involving broken dishes—I suddenly found myself at home with uninterrupted time in my studio. What began as an unplanned pause became a transformative period of artistic reinvention and experimentation.
“Civilizations Lost” mosaic, 17” x 21”
With travel on hold, I turned inward and began crafting tesserae from scrap materials. I developed a color library of tinted mortar blocks—some from leftovers, others from oxides blended to create unexpected hues. This hands-on approach changed my relationship with and expanded my material possibilities.
“The Big Wave” mosaic, 7” x 7”
One of the most fascinating shifts was learning to upcycle Italian Byzantine glass shards. Using a high-heat torch, I melted down the shards and stretched them into luminous threads called filati. Hypnotic to create and uniquely beautiful, these threads now play a central role in my newest abstract works.
“You Can’t Fool Me” mosaic sculpture, 29” x 29”
Another surprising source of inspiration came from my neighborhood walks. I began noticing things I might have once passed by: bark, moss, lichen. These natural elements found their way into my art, merging seamlessly with glass and mortar to create miniature forest scapes—dense, textural, and full of life. These works echo memories of my time living in Borneo and Indonesia, where the rainforests’ rich ecosystems left a lasting impression.
“Love Wins” mosaic, 8” x 12”
Though abstraction has taken the spotlight, I haven’t left portraiture behind. It remains a powerful outlet for emotional expression. Pieces like Love Wins and Anat, Beautiful Soul reflect my desire to celebrate unity and compassion. You Can’t Fool Me, on the other hand, offers a playful critique of political absurdities—my way of processing the world through humor and color.
“Anat, Beautiful Soul” mosaic, 13” x 12”
This time close to home sparked a wave of creativity and experimentation. The ideas and materials I explored during this period continue to shape my evolving practice. I’m excited to share this work and see where it leads.
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