Minnesota-based artist Sharra Frank takes discarded ceramics, such as broken plates, tea cups and kettles and transforms them into ethereal mosaics of the animal kingdom. Each small ceramic piece can be inlaid with pieces from other ceramics to create owls, snails, deer and more. By doing so, Frank can use her mosaics to symbolize how a single species can contain multitudes, affecting its surroundings more than it meets the eye. This is why Frank’s mosaics are relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life on Land and Responsible Consumption and Production.
With this analysis in mind, a single owl mosaic speaks about how different owl species play different predatorial roles in the varied habitats they inhabit. Everywhere, from parts of Siberia to the African Savannah, owls are helping control the population of local small rodents and small fish, keeping them away from crops and overeating aquatic plants that are irreplaceable in terms of maintaining underwater oxygen levels.
Yet, deeper research would also reveal how owl populations have been in decline over the past few decades. The most severe cases can be seen in how only 50 Pernambuco Pygmy Owls and Situ Scops Owls are left in the world. This has occurred mainly because of human activity such as hunting and habitat destruction. Climate change has also played a part by allowing for the emergence of new diseases that further strike down the number of owl populations. The owl is also just one example of how Frank’s mosaics is able to take its viewers into an in-depth conversation about the multitudes contained within a single animal species. Her pieces ultimately engage her audiences to act for the benefit of the species’ welfare, preservation and conservation.
Sharra Frank’s mosaics, crafted from discarded ceramics, serve as both artistic wonders and profound reminders of the intricate connections within the natural world. By depicting animals such as owls, her work highlights the critical roles these species play in maintaining ecological balance and the devastating impact of human activities on their survival. Through her art, Frank engages viewers in conversations about biodiversity, conservation and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats. Her mosaics urge audiences to embrace more sustainable practices and advocate for the preservation of wildlife.
Find out more about sustainable mosaics and other pieces by Sharra Frank on her Etsy page or Instagram @sharrafrank.