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Julius Karoubi Norwegian / French, 1998
10 3/8 x 8 1/2 in
The motifs in these mosaics are based on intuitive sketches made during Karoubi’s time in Paris, which he describes as visual notes or diaries. These works act like sponges, absorbing and reflecting the visual information from his surroundings—ornamentation, color combinations from market stalls, architectural details, shopping scenes, discarded items, and even the reflective surfaces of Monet’s water lilies and the vibrant atmosphere of the Olympics. Through this series, Karoubi blends traditional mosaic techniques with contemporary abstraction, creating a body of work that not only captures the essence of Paris but also transcends it, offering a personal, tactile exploration of the city’s ever-changing environment.