Mapei supports mosaic artist, Alison Turner, in unique globe project

Cornwall-based mosaic artist, Alison Turner has recently completed a stunning mosaic globe which will form part of The World Reimagined public art trail, before being auctioned for charity.  The stunning globe, which Alison created by hand, incorporated silicone sealant and grout donated by Mapei; it is one of 103 globes decorated by selected artists, and the only creation formed from mosaics.

The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking, UK-wide art education project to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade of Enslaved Africans and its impact. The free public art trail will run until the end of October, with the sculptures displayed in seven host cities - Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool City Region, London and Swansea. The globes measure 1.4m in diameter x 1.7m and all are painted, apart from Alison’s mosaic creation.

Alison’s design, which reflected the ‘Stolen Legacy – The rebirth of a nation’ theme depicts how Britain was transformed as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It is displayed in in Southwark, Borough Yards and supported by Southwark City Council. The globe can be found on the Southwark-Lambeth trail.

The globe designs have been applied to a sculpture shape devised by renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, who also gave the project its name. Supported by Official Presenting Partner Sky and Greater London City Partner, J.P. Morgan, the trails have been delivered in partnership with global public art producers, Wild in Art. 

“It was an absolute privilege to be chosen for this project.  It took me exactly 420 hours to complete my globe over a period of nine weeks. I handcut over 22,000 individual pieces of glass, vintage china and tile, and used seven tubes of silicone and 12kg of grout, kindly donated by Mapei.  Having exclusively used Mapei products for my mosaics since 2013, I knew that these materials wouldn’t let me down. I’ve previously used them in the application of exterior mosaics, know that they withstand freeze/thaw temperatures and which substrates they work best with, for longevity and peace of mind,” explained Alison.

Mapei products used by Alison included Mapesil LM clear silicone sealant – a low modulus, solvent-free and odourless neutral formulation, with BioBlock^® technology for mould-resistance.  The mosaics were grouted with Ultracolor Plus grouts, in three shades: Chocolate, Anthracite and Sand.  Ultracolor Plus is an anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modified system, with water-repellent DropEffect^® technology and BioBlock^®.