Mosaic artist and Liverpool manufacturer build on unique partnership

Palace Chemicals, in Speke, has established an unusual bond with ‘craftivist’ Carrie Reichardt.

She has found the firm’s Laticrete products perfect for her specialism of creating outdoor mosaics.

Their latest collaboration resulted in Carrie installing three major pieces at Nuart Aberdeen, which took place this week.

The exhibition features work with Amnesty International and two other pieces, which are Aberdeen-inspired.

Carrie is best known for creating artwork using traditional crafting methods, most often using mosaics and ceramics as a form of political protest.

She even lives in a house which she spent 20 years and thousands of tiles transforming into a giant mosaic mural.

Carrie first discovered Laticrete products at a British Association for Modern Mosaic conference where a Laticrete representative gave a talk about the company and its products – specifically how they are ideal for mosaics.

Carrie, who has worked in Australia and America where Laticrete products are widely used, said: “My work needs to be durable and not crack as a lot of it stays outside.

“As an artist, the most important thing to me is the colour. I only use black grout and the fantastic thing about Laticrete, is that the colour doesn’t fade.”

Laticrete now sponsors Carrie.

As much of her work is motivated by a drive to challenge injustices in the world, rather than working for profit, Laticrete provides the materials that allow her to continue creating these masterpieces.

Commercial director Steve Ball said: “Leaving the political work to Carrie in the statements she makes, there is a certain confidence required in the installation products to ensure they are not only fit for purpose, but exceed the requirements expected of them.

“The designs Carrie produces look amazing and the last thing Carrie needs is to be let down by the finishing components to the masterpieces, thus making Laticrete an ideal fit for the intricate work that Carrie undertakes.

“Laticrete is really proud to endorse the pieces that Carrie produces and look forward to working with Carrie on her next project,” added Steve.

Now in its second year, Nuart Aberdeen is fast becoming one of Aberdeen’s most anticipated festivals.

Globally renowned artists gather from all over the world to transform some of the city’s walls into works of art.

Carrie was the first confirmed artist for Nuart Aberdeen 2018 and is currently the artist-in-residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Martyn Reed, director and curator of Nuart, said: “Most street artists produce work site-specifically, but being able to draw from such a rich historical archive as this offers a wealth of ammunition for someone like Carrie.”