Master mosaic craftsmen in Venice, Italy produced this 10' x 14' glass mosaic. Smaltiglass, the traditional type of glass chips used for hundreds of years in the world's most brilliant and enduring mosaics are cemented into panels that were shipped to Phoenix for installation. The mural is a collage of photographic scenes of Phoenix and the State of Arizona.



The scene depicted in Memory: Arizona is a tribute to the experiences that one might have in the City of Phoenix. Much like a dream, the mosaic is a collage of imagery with hints of information where one flows into the next. This visual movement illustrates ethnic diversity, popular culture, business, education, and spiritual life all as one entity.

The images represented are taken from artist Howardena Pindell’s photographs of the city. Pindell’s personal experience with an automobile accident in 1979 resulted in partial memory loss. To regain her memory, Pindell collected postcards depicting familiar places. She later used these postcards, and others from later journeys, to create new compositions on irregular canvases and boards. It was this method which she employed to create the work at the Sky Harbor Airport. She took the process a step further however by designing a mural made of glass mosaic.

The mural itself was fabricated by master mosaic craftsman in Venice, Italy using smalti-glass, a traditional type of glass chip used for hundreds of years on some of the world’s most notable mosaics. The piece was then shipped from Venice to Phoenix for installation. As in ancient times when mosaics were used for didactic purposes, Memory: Arizona stands as a record of daily life.

About the Artist
Issues of cultural heritage inspire Howardena Pindell’s work. Best known for her autobiographical style, Pindell is a nationally acclaimed painter and mosaic artist whose artwork can be found in numerous collections nationwide. Currently, Pindell is a Professor at Stony Brook, State University of New York.