Blue Tail Splash - Glass Mosaic Whale Sculpture by Suzanne Vaughan

"Tail Splash" is an original one of a kind glass mosaic whale tail sculpture in blue with paua shell accents by Suzanne Vaughan. 
 
Each Glass Mosaic Sculpture is uniquely sculpted using a reductive technique. A light foam base is carved into flowing contours, and is then coated to create an exoskeleton. Each sculpture is encrusted in rhythmic patterns of hand-cut colored glass that is selected to emphasize the character and form of the underlying structure. The tiles are smoothed and arranged into flowing lines adding vibrancy and intensity to the twists and curves. Collectively they entice the eye as the light shimmers and dances across the multi-faceted surfaces, generating a sense of energy and movement. Suzanne draws her inspiration from the gracious elegance and simplicity of natures’ design.
 
Inspiration for theTail Series:Water covers more than 70% of the earth’s surface and supports nearly half of the species. Many of the magnificent aquatic creatures it harbors in its oceans provide humans with both sustenance and inspiration. The movie Whale Rider, a New Zealand film based on a Maori legend, highlights the importance of the relationship between our natural environment and our majestic guardian and protector, the whale. This tails series evolved from this fundamental idea, with each piece depicting the swishing, flicking, or standing tail. Then to emphasize the elegant movement of the whale, shimmering and glistening as they propel through the water, each is coated with rhythmic patterns of vibrantly colored or iridized glass. The sculpture is embellished further with an accent of laminated pearl, abalone, or paua shell sourced from New Zealand.