Reflections at Sunset
2012, 600 mm x 600 mm, handmade tile, commercial tile, mirror on Marmox.
Primordial Karangahake
2016, handmade tile, commercial tile, mirror on Marmox. Commissioned for the Waikino Memorial Art Wall Karangahake Gorge, Bay of Plenty. This piece is one of six mixed media panels depicting formative aspects of Waikino. Primordial NZ begins the series by depicting the original kauri forest of the region. The pieces are linked by the shape of the Ohinemuri river which runs through the valley and through each mosaic.
Pacific Migration
2010, 1500 mm x 1000 mm, handmade tile, commercial tile, stone on Marmox.
Bush Rejuvenation
2011, 600 mm x 600 mm, handmade tile, commercial tile, mirror on Marmox. Winner of the first National Mosaic Exhibition Waikino 2011.
St Theresa’s School
2017, handmade tile, commercial tile, small handmade concrete blocks on Marmox. A collaborative work created by my classroom students it welcomes visitors to the school.
Michael Manoa Coles
I am a Wellington based mosaic artist with works in public and private spaces. Many of my mosaic artworks feature handmade tiles of complex texture and colour. These are often assembled alongside mirror and commercial tiles to create unique mosaics that shimmer and ‘move’. I am equally comfortable with chunky mediums such as handmade bricks, concrete and other found items. “I love those moments when experimenting by combining different colours, textures or materials leads to an effect that makes me go ‘wow!”.
As a primary school teacher, I enjoy guiding students in creating and contributing to mosaic.