Description

The mosaic mural, Metamorphosis, is made up of seven freeform, abstracted and overlapping butterfly wing designs. Considering that this work of art is made especially for the front entrance to a mental health facility, the design was inspired by the ever-changing shapes, patterns, and various soothing colors of greens, blues, purples and pinks. The project message speaks to the symbolism of the life cycle of butterflies, but also to humanity who has the ability to also change into being healthy, whole, and grounded. 

For public art projects like this, Kim Emerson typically works with the beautiful high-fired ceramic tile made by the former Quarry Tile Company, now Fire Clay Tile. First cut by hand on a wet-saw, then nipped further into smaller pieces, the tesserae was laid dry into place with tweezers over the approved design underneath, and on tables in the artist’s studio. While assembling the butterfly shapes for each panel, the mosaics were temporarily segmented face-up with special clear tile-tape. The artist’s design, originally a watercolor painting, was enlarged to a full-scale print on paper, and is known as a mosaic cartoon. After many more steps, ultimately the taped and sectioned mosaics were adhered to cement backer board panels with thin-set and grout.

A special THANK YOU goes to the following: the artist’s husband Dennis Reiter who is an amazing artist, business partner and photographer, the County of San Diego: Arts & Culture Commission, art consultant Leah Goodwin of Leah Goodwin Creations, project contractor Balfour Beatty Construction Company, and Joe Rich of Fortress Fence & Landscaping, Inc. for their invaluable one-day installation.