The Mosaic House

The Mosaic House

You’ve got to be different to create a house like the Mosaic House in Chiswick. A friend of mine told me about it, and I thought she meant Chiswick House (which is stunning, by the way). We ended up seeing both - from the outside - because I got my wires crossed. I’m glad I did too.

The Stand Out House

I wonder what the artist’s neighbours think of all these people coming to gawp, stand, stare and photograph the Mosaic House? I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable with non-resident people hanging out on my road at different times of the day.

As my friend and I turned the corner of a nondescript road in Chiswick. We both said, ‘What a Cool House’. We only found it by using Google Maps, by the way. It’s close to Chiswick Park Underground Station.

What’s so special about the house? Every inch of the Victorian house is covered in Mosaic tiles. Who does the house belong to? It belongs to the Reichardt Family since the 1950s. The project is the brainchild of Carrie Reichardt, who is a mosaic artist.

The Story

Carrie started the project in the 1990s as a memorial to Luis Ramirez, a death row prisoner in Texas. Why him? It’s not only for him, but for other death row inmates and campaigners against capital punishment. Luis inspired her because she corresponded with him while he was in prison.

The mosaic artist didn’t complete the project alone; she enlisted help from other mosaic artists around the world.

Mosaics Galore

Every inch of the house is covered in tiles, ceramics and glass. It’s like a big real-life jigsaw, and every part of the exterior has a story to tell.

I noticed two vehicles outside the house, a pickup truck and a black cab. Both were covered in mosaics. The house looks like a free-for-all art exhibition, but the design and presentation carry political, cultural, and social undertones.

Here’s what I learned as I researched the Mosaic House.

• Tributes to death row prisoners and campaigners against capital punishment.

• Quotes from influential figures such as Martin Luther King and Thomas Paine.

• There’s a climate change depiction of a giant Hokusai-style wave swallowing up London’s Landmarks.

• A mock English Heritage blue plaques that read “The Treatment Rooms. 2002 – Now. Lots of people lived here and partied hard.”

• Sugar-skull portraits, Alice in Wonderland figures, Aztec motifs and a huge Octopus on the rear wall. I’m not sure that the Octopus signified anything, though.

Inside The House

My friend saw a YouTube video and said the interior was just as colourful. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go inside because it is a private home and not a museum.

I understand some people are invited inside, but only by invitation. Unfortunately, we didn’t peek inside, not even through the letterbox, because that would have invaded the homeowner’s privacy.

We didn’t stay long because it’s a residential street, and as I stated above, I wouldn't want non-residents loitering outside on my road either.

Take Away

It’s a wacky, colourful house with messages for those willing to read between the lines. Be sure to look at the details close up, especially the two vehicles.

I personally think Carrie has guts to use the exterior of her house to express her views through art. Not many people do this nowadays, which is a shame.

Her house surely brightens up what would otherwise be another West London Road. We then walked to Chiswick Park Station.

All in all, it was an interesting juxtaposition of two different homes - Chiswick Park House and the Mosaic House: two homes, two different stories. I’ll write a blog on the former soon.

Thank you as always, for your attention.

Best wishes

Tabby