"Black Invade" Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii

Artist Toyoharu Kii is renowned for his ability to create sophisticated mosaics that push the limit of his chosen medium. He combines the different aspects of mosaic art in new and distinctive ways. Although this composition, called Black Invade, is monochromatic, the varying shape and depth of the tesserae, the play of shadow and light all create an eye-catching tapestry.

A leader of the cross-cultural craft resurgence, Japan-based artist Toyoharu Kii creates his intricate mosaics with hand-cut Italian marble and smalti, Venetian glass made by the same Italian family for over 400 years. Using traditional Italian techniques, Kii’s art is nonetheless modern. It is monochromatic, abstract, and highly textured and highlights the involved and technical art of mosaic making.