Artist creates bird-themed mosaic for delighted infants

By Toby Porter

A prominent mosaic artist has created a bird-themed mosaic for Dulwich College.

Tamara Froud from Catford in London, has been commissioned by DUCKS, Dulwich College Kindergarten and Infants’ School, to create a wall-mounted mosaic at the building’s main entrance.

She said: “I created the original mosaic in 2017 to depict various types of duck and wading birds; Like a swan, a heron, a moorhen and a curlew.

“Each was designed to represent one of the eight classes in DUCKS, the infants’ section of Dulwich College.

“But after adding another three classes, DUCKS has called me back in to expand the scene.”

The mosaic, which was originally commissioned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the kindergarten and infants’ section of the Dulwich College, combines exterior-grade ceramic tiles with red and white stones from the New Forest and brightly coloured opaque glass.

Tamara said: “The three new birds; a puffin, a mandarin duck and a sandpiper are all being prepared in my Catford studio.

“I’m sticking the tiles, glass and stones to a mesh backing with Laticrete 254 and adding a little Palace Tiler’s Primer for some extra adhesive power.

“That enables me to feel confident that, when I install the finished pieces onto the wall, all those tiny pieces will stay exactly where they belong.

“Covid permitting, the plan is to now visit the school during the half-term break, so the new work can be integrated into an expanded version of the original mosaic.

“By using colour-matched Palace Colour Lock grout, it should look like the new birds were always part of the original scene.”

Miranda Norris, Head of DUCKS Kindergarten & Infants’ School, said: “Tamara’s mosaic of ducks brings a smile to everyone’s face, and the children thoroughly enjoy identifying their own class bird amidst the scene.

“We’re delighted to be able to add a further three birds to this wonderful artwork.”