The original Easterhouse mosaic (1983-2004) was a celebrated community artwork and an important part of East Glasgow’s cultural heritage, lost when it was taken down in 2004. In 2010, Glasgow based artist, Alex Frost was asked, by Platform – a local arts organisation based in The Bridge, Easterhouse – to consider using this mosaic as a starting point for his first permanent public artwork. He initiated this project by spending some time researching the original Easterhouse Mosaic.
The result of this research was ‘The Old & New Easterhouse Mosaic (and everything in between)’, an ambitious project that included ‘The New Easterhouse Mosaic’, a permanent mural at The Bridge; a series of wax crayon on paper rubbings taken from over 60 existing mosaics Frost found in the area; a field guide to these mosaics and an archive dedicated to the original Easterhouse mosaic.
‘The New Easterhouse Mosaic’ refers to The Bridge’s many post-industrial functions (swimming pool, theatre, dance and music venue, library, cafe and F.E. college) incorporating facial profiles of people who use the building as well as water-jet cut symbols that refer to SMS communications. The wax crayon rubbings taken from mosaics found within the area represent a unique and overlooked cultural heritage while also plotting the social and political landscape of the area. These mosaics were found in schools, fire stations, police stations, health centres, community centres, a church and shopping centre.
THE NEW EASTERHOUSE MOSAIC
A 25 metre long mosaic mural, made from both polished and natural finished porcelain tiles.[nggallery id=12]
THE MOSAICS OF EASTERHOUSE – the drawings
Rubbings taken from a selection of the 60+ community mosaics located within the Easterhouse area.
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THE MOSAICS OF EASTERHOUSE – a field guide
A field guide to all the community mosaics located within Easterhouse.
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- St Clare’s Church – 14 x stations of the cross.
- Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse (F.A.R.E.) – 2 wall panels and 1 table top.
- Cranhill Primary, Easterhouse Police Station, Oakwood Primary, Easterhouse Fire Station, St Benedict’s Primary – 1 x panel in each.
- Sandaig Primary – 2 x panels.
- Lochend Community High School – 12 x panels.
- Sandaig Nursery – 1 x panel.
- St Maria Goretti Primary – 2 x panels.
- Sunnyside Primary – 12 x panels.
- St Rose of Lima Primary – 2 x panels.
- Easterhouse Health Centre – 1 x panel.
- Ashcraig School – 4 x panels.
- Ruchazie Community Centre – 1 x panel.
- Shandwick Square Shopping Centre – 3 x panels.
THE EASTERHOUSE MOSAIC ARCHIVE
A selection of newspaper articles, catalogues and plans relating to the original Easterhouse Mosaic (1983 – 2004).
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