Tessera II

Tessera II by artist Mat Tomezsko is located at the Sisters of St. Joseph Welcome Center in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Large pieces of fruit, flowers, vegetables, and herbs are bursting out of an underlying triangular grid. It is lush and highly ornate. It is both organic and geometric, realistic and abstract. The many intricate facets and pieces recall tile mosaic and stained glass. It is intended to bring an abundance of beauty to F and Allegheny Avenue in the heart of Kensington.

Each element was created by participants’ contributions to written question sheets, drawing exercises, and painting and collage activities during a 12 week engagement period. Asked personal questions about their “Dream Garden”, participants provided written responses and original drawings detailing what they would like to see or include regardless of the limits of time or space. Much of the imagery evokes the Caribbean and South and Central America, with selections such as citrus trees, orchids, avocado, cilantro, peppers, beans, tomato, guava, and mango. Their answers were used to generate new triangular templates as well as the decorative imagery that pours out of the grid.

The composition contains visual gradients: Some triangles contain line drawings made by the participants. These are placed next to collage mosaics which connect visually through black lines of negative space between the tiles, which lead to full paintings. Likewise, the imagery depicts seedlings, flowering plants, and fruit / vegetables. The mural thereby links the creative process in the visual arts to that of nature.