Tessellat: Rectangular

Title : Tessellat: Rectangular
Materials : 14 208 pieces of plastic building blocks
Dimensions : 1420 x 1820 x 25mm

Displayed at ‘A New Wave’ exhibition at Southern Guild gallery Cape Town until 23 September 2016 (sold).
        
This piece uses 14 208 pieces of plastic building blocks to produce & highlight the art of tessellation. Tessellation is a highly symmetric, edge-to-edge tiling using a simple shape to create intricate patterns, usually done with porcelain or ceramic cuttings. This piece hopes to recreate that art form in a modern way. The colours and patterns are inspired by a variety of African crafts e.g. basket weaving, beadwork and wax prints. Coming from a country with such a rich mixed heritage, it’s a constant struggle to find an authentic African identity that appeals to and unites South Africans. At first glance this rectangle appears beautifully simple, but upon closer inspection the intricate details relating to our heritage become apparent in the combination of colours that make up the flag or pattern formation common in ones culture.