Artist’s mosaic stopped traffic on the street by Martin Zeilig July 6th, 2007 THE unveiling of a dazzling, multi-hued mosaic -- composed of 10,080 tiny glass tiles -- fastened to the front of a modest-sized, bi-level house in St. Vital "literally stopped traffic on the street," according to the man who created the work of art on his house. Measuring five metres by one metre, the mosaic by artist Yisa Akinbolaji, entitled Peace and Purpose, is what one might term a study in patterned elegance with its stylized peace dove, the Chinese symbol for prosperity, and a star, among other elements. It is reminiscent of the mosaics found on floors and walls among the ruins of Ancient Rome, albeit in a more modern mode. "I want to use the mosaic that I've installed on my house as a means of communication and sharing. I have always enjoyed the beauty of art around me. My family enjoys seeing the art I create and the artworks I purchase from other artists. When I walk out the door, I love to see the beautiful colours of the mosaic. Those colours evoke celebration and inclusion," said Akinbolaji, 47, who immigrated to Winnipeg in September 1997 from Lagos, Nigeria, at the invitation of relatives. Akinbolaji, who studied at the Yaba College of Art and Technology in Lagos and later advertising art at Red River College, had his oil and acrylic paintings displayed at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre in April 2006, and at a juried exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery arts rental and sales in May. He has also been featured on local French and English CBC TV broadcasts. The short, solidly built Akinbolaji said this is only his second mosaic in Canada. "My work is not complete until people have enjoyed seeing it," says the former president of the Manitoba Society of Artists, whose latest large mosaic work in Nigeria is entitled The Good Shepherd and was installed in Ikeja, Lagos in "a limited colour palette." Akinbolaji said the idea for the house mosaic started out as a concept on a blank space. "Then, I asked myself, 'What do I really want to communicate here on this open canvas?' And so the idea of Peace and Purpose emerged. Following that idea, I did some preliminary sketches," he said. On the faux wood floor of his lower-level home studio, he meticulously assembled the tiles piece by piece into square sections on sticky "tack paper" before transferring each section onto a sturdy plywood backing on which he had applied a special mortar. "I applied a liquid sealer over the tiles for maximum protection," said Akinbolaji. "I hope my mosaic installation will encourage architects and government to improve on the installation of public art." Used with permission © Winnipeg Free Press
 
 
Guests at the unveiling Peace and Purpose at his residence, 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
 
Contact the artist at yisa@shaw.ca
Telephone: 1-204-942-7245
Studio: 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg Manitoba
Welcome and thank you all for coming. We are grateful that you came to join us today. We want to thank those of you that drove from out of town to be here. We are happy to see our wonderful neighbours joining us in this celebration, especially when you have already had a sneak peak of the mosaic when it was being installed. To all of our friends and family, we thank you for your continued support.
 
Just before we unveil the mosaic, I would like to draw your attention to the flags overhead. These flags represent the nations to which our family belongs. This week, the Nigerian flag has been flying at half mast in honour of two of Yisa’s aunts, who recently passed away at the ages of 87 & 93. The son of one of the women is Yisa’s uncle, Clement Betiku.
 
And now let me tell you a few things you need to look for in the mosaic we are about to unveil. I am amazed how Yisa started with one tile and ended with 10, 080 tiles in 42 colours that tell the story of Peace and Purpose. The story merges light with dark. Within the light you will see a dove, a flutist, a rose, and much more. You will also see a shooting star, a Chinese symbol, and a ladder, all indicating good things coming out of darkness.
 
Once you have seen all of the wonderful images in Peace and Purpose, please join us in the backyard for refreshments, other works by Yisa, and an opportunity to purchase mosaic prints and cards which are being unveiled right now.
 
Yisa would like all his art collectors who are here today to join him in unveiling the mosaic. Please come and let us all see this beautiful work.
Unveiling Opening Speech by Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji