Article from British Association of Modern Mosaics (BAMM) Magazine
Topps Tiles announces national winner
The national winner in the 2006 Topps Tiles Award for Achievement in Mosaic is Ai Orsman, who is learning mosaic at the Redbridge Institute of Adult Education under tutor Yvette Rawson.
Ai's piece is a 26cm x 33cm portrait entitled Alice who is Ai's, and her husband Mark's, 4-year old daughter.
Regional judge in the competition was David Tuhill MA RCA, who commented: "This is a stunning piece of work. Meticulous observation, choice of colour and size of tile have all been brought together to produce what I believe is one of the best pieces of work in the history of the competition".
National judges Anne Read and Martin Cheek were also enthusiastic. Martin awarded Ai 92% and Anne commented: "The design, from a photo, showed good interpretation of colour and demonstrated excellent use of glass and ceramic in shape and colour. Certain areas of confusion are negated by the excellent use of shape and colour and the placement of the tesserae."
Ai, who lives in Walthamstow, is Japanese and says she has always been interested in making things". She has made pots for her garden, but the winning mosaic is the first picture she has ever attempted. She also loves oil painting and travels extensively throughout Europe with her husband. Ai become inspired by mosaics seen in Italy and she is particularly grateful for the help and support she is receiving from Yvette Rawson.
Ai's parents, her sister and her friends in Japan are all delighted at Ai's success.
As National Winner, Ai receives £500 for the purchase of Alice, which will be hung in the Topps Tiles corporate headquarters at Leicester. She has previously received a regional winner award of £100, presented in September at Topps Tiles Ilford.