Rubik's Cubes Mosaics
How it Started
I started my journey in creating Rubik's Cube Mosaics as part of a creative assignment for my high school Asia In World History project in 2012, where we had to choose an ancient Asian art form and reproduce it using a modern medium. I decided to study Chinese calligraphy but was unclear about my modern medium. After looking through modern art examples, I was inspired by Pete Fecteau, who made this famous mural of MLK Jr., to use Rubik's Cubes as the medium. This project is still used by my teacher, Mrs. Friends, as an example for her new students when describing the project! I made the mosaic of the Chinese character for "Friend" out of 100 Rubik's cubes. I had a lot of fun with this project and wanted to explore how far I could go with this new creative outlet.
Working with Pete
Unclear where to start, I didn't think much about it and e-mailed Pete Fecteau asking to chat. Within 24 hours, he got back to me and we set up a skype call, and he taught me his "secrets" on how to design, plan and create these mosaics. He even referred me to Rubik's International, and I was a Rubik's Sponsored Artist during 2015-2016. I was very grateful for his support, and I just went straight to work. I purchased 400 Rubik's Cubes and decided to create portraits of influential people I was inspired by. This was the start of my series "Outliers", inspired by Malcolm Gladwell's best-selling book.
Gift to Deerfield Academy
During my 11th and 12th grade years, I realized that I would leave Deerfield Academy, my boarding high school, very soon. To show appreciation for the school and everything they have done for me, I created a mosaic of Frank L. Boyden - a legendary headmaster in Deerfield history who made a significant impact on Deerfield as a school and community. The school loved the piece so much that they commissioned me to create another one of Helen Boyden, wife to Mr. Boyden, who had also made huge contributions to the growth of the school community. Both mosaics are now on permanent display at the Frank Boyden Library. I am very grateful for the recognition in my artwork from the school, and I am happy that I was able to share my artwork with the community - both then, now, and in the future!
Mrs. Helen Boyden
Mr. Frank L. Boyden