Bexley Summer University

“Shine” mosaics, Thamesmead Estate (as part of Bexley Summer Uni 2008)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We  ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?.........We are all meant to shine......”*

*excerpts from “Return to love” by Marianne Williamson.

           These words quoted by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech, was used as inspiration for a week-long project with young people of Thamesmead Estate.

“SHINE” was chosen by the group as a single word that had universal power and positive meaning. It was decided to make the word “shine” in mosaic form for the facade of their youth centre, where it would be  seen by all who live and work on the estate.

Because it would be visible from quite a long distance, as well as close to, the lead artist Jill Newman -who enjoys working with re-cycled materials and found objects- chose to incorporate old bicycle reflectors to catch the light and project the letters out. For close-up detail, the group collected and used materials such as old toys, bottle-tops, buttons, broken jewelry, cassettes and discarded c.d's.