After the February 22nd earthquake Jenny Cooper had an idea, and set it in motion with an ad in the newspaper. Why not turn people’s broken china into beautiful artwork?

The china started pouring in to Jenny’s home, and along with it little letters about the china. How wonderful for this history to live on.

Fellow mosaic artist Sharon Wilson, was inspired by the movement, and along with a talented group of ladies, and has been creating with that china ever since.

“The fact is that these things are going to be going to the tip. And to me, to make something beautiful out of nothing is a fantastic feeling. You can transform it almost like magic into something else!”

Thinking about mosaics might conjure up images of poorly executed school craft projects, maybe a badly decorated terracotta pot, or tacky garden ornament. but what these women are creating are truely beautiful pieces that cross the boundaries of fine art, sculpture, and street art.

To see some of their work around New Brighton check out their pieces in the New brighton Library, and you’ll also spot their work in Carnaby Lane, on the large planter boxes, and the crown jewel – a huge beach scape at the end of the lane. At the time of filming the group was working on a life sized surf board, depicting scenes from around New Brighton.

So, watch this space to see where it might pop up, along with future works! New Brighton is such a creative community, so go exploring and who knows what you might find…