Weds 9th September 2026
At our meeting on Wednesday, 9th September, the Wealden Business Group was treated to a captivating presentation by renowned artist Ed Chapman. Having spent over 30 years perfecting the intricate craft of mosaic art, Ed walked us through his artistic evolution—from early paper mosaics of John Lennon and Van Gogh to his initial gallery representation in Nottingham. Over the decades, his portfolio has expanded into remarkable, unconventional mediums. His famous ceramic tile portrait of Jimi Hendrix led to a commission for a Manchester City plaque that took seven days of non-stop work to complete, alongside a striking David Bowie mosaic finished right around the singer’s 65th birthday. Adding a touch of rock-and-roll history to his own story, Ed also shared that his mother actually attended college alongside John Lennon!
Ed’s creative versatility truly shines through his pioneering use of unexpected, everyday materials to capture iconic figures. What began with an initial request to create mosaics out of coins eventually led to a portrait of the President of Azerbaijan crafted entirely from £1 coins, as well as a portrait of Lord Alan Sugar made from 3,009 sugar cubes. His repertoire features an astonishing variety of themed mediums tailored directly to his subjects: paper banknotes for Travelex, guitar plectrums for Jimi Hendrix, real bullet casings for Clint Eastwood, digestive biscuits for Dame Judi Dench, smashed vinyl records for Sir Elton John, and 500-million-year-old Welsh slate for a portrait of Richard Burton.
Taking his creative vision from the studio to the stage, Ed also introduced the group to his forthcoming theatrical production, The Actor And The Villain. Inspired by the real-life 1960s encounter between acting legend Richard Burton and notorious East End gangster Ronnie Kray, the play explores the fascinating dynamic between fame and infamy. Having previously depicted both men in his mosaic art—including the iconic Richard Burton slate piece on permanent display at Swansea University—Ed is now bringing their compelling story to life in an entirely new medium.
See more of Ed’s work at https://edchapman-mosaics.co.uk/
