Shemosaics
About Me
My name is Scheherazade Bourahli. I was born in 1968 in Ghent, Belgium. Because of my Belgian-Algerian roots, ever since my childhood I have been strongly attracted to a nomadic lifestyle. As a student and long after my graduation as a master in African languages and history, I have been travelling around the globe.
My talent for mosaic work got a boost and became more finetuned and influenced by different cultures. Since 1998 I create mosaic art for both private clients and local authorities worldwide. Colin Heaney’s commission for his previous ‘Casa Blu’ in Byron Bay really launched me into custom glass mosaics. The materials I use include ceramics, glass, shells, natural stones and objets-trouvés.
Gallery
Bi glass disks (50cm - 65cm diameter)
A bi-disk is a flat rounded stone disk, with an opening in the centre. It is mostly made out of semi-precious stones such as Jade, Rose Quartz, Agate, Amethyst. They are found in several cultures : Chinese, Mayan, Indonesian and even the Celtic and Early Germanic had them.
In Ancient China they were put on the heart of the deceased to accompany them on their journey to the beyond. They were considered as a holy geometrical form. Meditating in front of them transportes you into other dimensions. They are gates which connect the physical (3 dimensional) reality with the spiritual world.
Its beneficial effects, healing powers and transformating capacities are increasingly valued. Disks dissolve stagnating energies.
Mosaic ‘bi-glass disks’ remind us of our own energy centres called ‘chakras’. My disks are made in a multitude of shades, colours and patterns. Mouth blown Lamberts glass, (iridescent) Spectrum glass and Uroboros are a few of my favorites.
Aquatic spheres (5m x 2m80)
Embellishing wall covering of a storage room with (iridescent) spectrum and Uroboros glass. The lovely green scenery and the swimming pond with its floating stainless spheres acted as inspiration for the design.
Varens Castle
The owner gave me ‘carte blanche’ to decorate a bathroom in his marvellous castle. All the decorative elements are related to water. For this assignment I was assisted by Johan Loncke, a friend, who designed the ceiling lamps in epoxy and the mosaic.
Oriental vibes
Ceramic tiles and tadelakt lime (a Moroccan traditional craft) imbued this oriental style bathroom with an Arabian Nights atmosphere.
Angelic Realm (1m20 x 1m30)
The combination of California iridescent glass and brazilian ceramic tiles turned this ornamental mirror frame into a mesmerizing eyecatcher.
Corridor (15m x 1m20)
Interior designer Jean-Philippe Demeyer asked me to come up with a ‘funky, anglo-saxon, asymmetrical and organic’ pattern for this countryhouse corridor project in Damme, near Bruges. I selected a fabulous team to assist me with the prefabrication and laying of this mosaic made out of cement tiles.
Baobab boa
Boa serpent in relief decorated with mosaic made out of californian glass and tiles. Co-production Charley Case painted the Baobab tree in chinese ink.Matonge, Brussels
ILE & AILE (wingspan is about 4m)
Inspired by the amazingly wing shaped Greek island Ikaria a mirror was transformed into a representation of Icarus’ wings. Each feather was hand cut and the California iridescent glass infills added extra magic. Wingspan is about 4 metres. The mural around was painted by friend artist, Charley Case.
Jardin Intérieur
In an apartment in Brussels, I wanted to bring a sense of playfulness by using colors referring to nature. Through organic elements I brought a feeling of relaxation in bed- and bathroom.
Interior hall (2m50 x 3m80)
This custom Celtic pattern mosaic was designed to contrast with the chevron/herringbone walls. Traditional cement tiles were used as the raw material. Realized with a small team. Damme (near Bruges)
Multi colored mirror mosaic around bonfire (2m x 2m)
Multicoloured mirror mosaic surround for a built-in fireplace made out of mouth-blown and industrial mirror glass. Commissioned by interior designer Jean-Philippe Demeyer.
Zelliges
It was fun to cover this splashback wall in an acquaintance’s kitchen with zelliges, a traditional glazed decorative tile, handcrafted in Morocco.
Play Video
Byron Bay, Australia
Colin Heany, one of the most innovative Canadian – Australian glass artists, requested me to embellish his ‘Water Palace’, considered by many to be the most beautiful house in Byron Bay.
Flower of Life (0,80m x 1m20)
Table top with ‘Flower of Life’ geometrical figure composed of multiple evenly shaped, overlapping circles. This figure forms a flower-like pattern with the symmetrical structure of a hexagon. Mosaic made out of Uroboros and Californian glass. Each piece has been handcut and grinded/polished
Entrance hall (2m70 x 2m70)
Mosaic made with traditional cement tiles in a entrance hall of a country house. The client requested an anglo-saxon design. Bruges, Belgium
Mirrors
Three mirror frames I made for the O’meraude eco lodge at the Mer d’Emeraude in Northern Madagascar. The gorgeous sea shells on the local beach enticed me to stretch my art beyond mosaics.
A wall full of mirrors (2m60 x 3m10)
Wall-to-wall mirror in an art deco house. Interior designer J.P. Demeyer requested me to create a wall-to-wall mirror mosaic as a backdrop to this fireplace. The geometric fragments are a perfect fit for this period style.
Rainbow vortex (0,85m 2m10)
On this table top 2 galaxies meet each other, showing off their spectral colourful energies. Materials used : ceramic tiles and Californian glass.
Community Project's
Pierkespark, Ghent, Belgium
After travelling in Brazil I got inspired by the Chilean born artist Selaron. In 2006 I made an application for a social-cultural project to enhance the urban landscape in my hometown through the art of mosaic. The city of Ghent, Belgium, got funding for this initiative by The European Community, which was going to be realised in a public park. I started to conduct this huge mosaic project (total surface = 179m2) the first week of May 2010.
Together with everybody who felt to contribute to this project, we covered paths and benches with colourful mosaics. I was asked to bring a Mediterranean atmosphere through my design.
I chose for organic elements, such as flowing lines from where the protecting eye of Fatima arises, dynamic waves and sand dunes with a sky full of stars. After 3 springs and 3 summers we finished this fabulous project. The last piece was laid on the 29th of september 2012
