St Rita’s College, Clayfield was established by the Presentation Sisters in 1926. The College recognises two patrons, Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Order and St Rita of Cascia, the Saint of Impossible Causes.
In 2011 the College opened the Sr Elvera Science Centre, including the new College Reception where ‘The Presentation’ mosaic commands attention on a two-storey high wall. The mosaic is created in Orsoni Venetian Smalti and includes seven shades of gold leaf tesserae.
The mosaic conceptualises the principles of Cosmology: the Origin, Evolution, and Structure of the Universe through the themes of the Past, Present and Future.
The Venerable Nano Nagle, is represented holding her lantern up to the universe, spreading the power of education to the children of the world. Three of the College’s principles, Compassion, Hospitality and Simplicity, are included in the hand-cut mosaic text and evoke the Presentation Sisters’ dedication to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Project
The Presentation Mosaic, 2011
Materials
Orsoni Venetian Smalti, Gold
Client
St Rita’s College, Clayfield
What We Did
Concept Design, Fabrication, Installation
