Shattered Icons

Pop Satire in Shattered Stone

A Mosaic Series by Miles Mathews

Concept:
This series reimagines iconic works of art and pop culture moments through the ancient medium of mosaic — taking the disposable imagery of mass media and immortalizing it in glass and stone. Satire set in cement.

From banana duct tape stunts to Mona Lisa memes, each piece playfully critiques the absurdity of fame, the commodification of genius, and the loop of cultural recycling. By reconstructing these symbols shard by shard, I invite the viewer to reconsider what we idolize — and why.

Medium:
Hand-cut stained glass, ceramic, and stone tesserae, with occasional gold leaf, digital print transfers, or found materials — all set on wooden panels or cement board.

Tone:
Witty, irreverent, and philosophical. Think Warhol meets Gaudí meets The Onion.

Why Mosaic?
Mosaic is slow. It’s ancient. It demands patience and permanence — the opposite of the quick-flash media world it’s critiquing. By rendering viral imagery and art-world darlings in this labor-intensive medium, I’m asking: What deserves to be preserved?

Themes Explored:

The commodification of art

Viral fame vs. timeless beauty

Consumerism as modern religion

The sacred hidden in the absurd

Ideal Display:
These works thrive in spaces where humor, intellect, and aesthetics collide — perfect for collectors who appreciate conceptual fine art with a subversive edge.