About Yulia

Baltimore City
Yulia Hanansen is a second generation artist. She was born in Moscow, Russia and moved to the United States in 1991. She has studied and worked in New York City and Ann Arbor, Michigan before moving to Baltimore in 2009.
Yulia's artwork is in fine art mosaics and printmaking media. She has won numerous awards, including Best in Show at Mosaic Arts International and Best in Print award. Her Mosaic Sphere Studio company has been producing mosaics for private and public clients  for interior… more

When the Stars Line Up for You

"When the Stars Line Up for You", c. 2009.
Materials: Orzoni smalti glass, gold, stained glass, glass rods, and coal.
Size: 24"x42"

This project is a juxtaposition of the confined mosaic surface with limitless space.

There are billions of stars in the Universe and close to an infinite number of views and star alignments are possible. With such an infinity of views one can choose any alignment one wishes and attach particular meaning to that view.

The layered tesserae technique creates multiple flows and directions that express constant flow of events, and unstoppable progress of matter.
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  • When the Stars Line Up for You
    When the Stars Line Up for You
    "When the Stars Line Up for You", c. 2009. Materials: Orzoni smalti, gold, stained glass, glass rods, and coal. Size: 24"x42" This project is a juxtaposition of the confined mosaic surface with limitless space. There are billions of stars in the Universe and close to an infinite number of views and star alignments are possible. With such an infinity of views one can choose any alignment one wishes and attach particular meaning to that view. The layered glass technique creates multiple flows and directions that express constant flow of events, and unstoppable progress of matter.

"Landfall"

A hurricane is pictured making a landfall over the Eastern Coast of US. Although most of the scenery is obscured by the cloud cover, one can only imagine the level of destruction a hurricane can cause. Materials: Layered stained glass, smalti, stone. Size: 32" x 32"
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    Landfall
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    landfall_det1_1920px_72.jpg

Displaced Hurricane

"Displaced Hurricane" is part of “Forces of Nature” mosaic series and it speaks about water and its distribution in the world. At the time of global warming new weather patterns are emerging resulting in major shifts in the water supplies. While the ocean coasts are experiencing an onslaught of forceful hurricanes, the desert areas are running out of ground water. Irrigation circles sometimes are the only means for desert economies to feed their populations.
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    hanansen_displaced_hurricane_1920px_det.jpg

Jupiter: Great Red Spot

"Jupiter: Great Red Spot", c. 2010.
Materials: Layered stained glass.
Size: 36" x 56"

Jupiter has always fascinated me as unrealized star- a planetary body that is too small for a nuclear fusion action. It is a giant planet that we can never land on. And it is in charge of one of the greatest hurricanes that we can observe- the Great Red Spot.
Because of a layered layout, this mosaic required some research on structure of the GRS. I had to contact a NASA scientist who was very generous and sent me a couple of papers that she has written on cloud deck observations of Great Red Spot.
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    Hanansen_GRS_framed_2000.jpg
    "Jupiter: Great Red Spot" Materials: Layered stained glass on panel, framed. Size: 36" x 56" Jupiter has always fascinated me as unrealized star- a planetary body that is too small for a nuclear fusion action. It is a giant planet that we can never land on. And it is in charge of one of the greatest hurricanes that we can observe- the Great Red Spot. Because of a layered layout, this mosaic required some research on structure of the GRS. I had to contact a NASA scientist who was very generous and sent me a couple of papers that she has written on cloud deck observations of Great Red Spot.
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    Jupiter: Great Red Spot
    This detail shows a meticulous layout of glass pieces. Each glass piece is about 1/8"x1/4" in size and was hand placed in order to create this image.
  • Jupiter: Great Red Spot
    Jupiter: Great Red Spot
  • Jupiter: Great Red Spot, detail
    Jupiter: Great Red Spot, detail
    This detail of the mosaic shows second, smaller storm that is brewing below the Great Red Spot.
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    Jupiter: Great Red Spot, detail
    This detail shows the closeup of Great Red Spot and a Jovian moon Io as it flies by.
  • Jupiter: Great Red Spot
    Jupiter: Great Red Spot
    Materials: Layered stained glass. Size: 36" x 56" Jupiter has always fascinated me as unrealized star- a planetary body that is too small for a nuclear fusion action. It is a giant planet that we can never land on. And it is in charge of one of the greatest hurricanes that we can observe- the Great Red Spot. Because of a layered layout, this mosaic required some research on structure of the GRS. I had to contact a NASA scientist who was very generous and sent me a couple of papers that she has written on cloud deck observations of Great Red Spot.

Forest Fire: A Walk Through the Woods

Forest fires are devastating and compellingly attractive at the same time. It is unlikely that someone will be taking a leisurely walk through the burning woods, but if they did dare, they would be confronting the chaotic movement of fire, shadows, underlaying ground, trees, and smoke. Dalle de Verre, an ultra-thick glass shaped by hand was used to imitate the charred trees in this composition.
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    forest_f2_detail3_1200px.jpg

Forest Fire

This is a visual impression of a forest fire that is 100% un-contained. Most of the forest is engulfed in spontaneous flames resulting in charred trees and rising smoke. Whether caused by the human negligence or the forces of nature, forest fires are dual in their character- they are treacherous and spectacular at the same time.A spiral emphasizes this duality of a forest fire- everything inescapably funnels into its center, and at the same time there is a dramatic movement spiraling out of the picture plane. This artwork is part of “Forces of Nature” mosaic series.
Stained glass and stone was used to create this non-traditional mosaic. All the pieces of glass were individually cut and layered on top of each other to produce the desired visual effects.
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    forest_fire_det_3000px.jpg
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    forest_fire_1600px.jpg

Underwater Library

"Underwater Library", mosaic mural, y. 2018

 Size: 8'4"x16', or 2.54m x 4.88m

Designed and created by Yulia Hanansen for Elkridge Public Library, Howard County Library System.

A diver is exploring an underwater world and in a process discovers a treasure chest full of books and maps. This playful, unique design was made for a part of library facing kids and teenage reader section, it is a part of an underwater theme featured throughout the building. 
Mosaic was constructed at the studio and transported in 66 separate sections to the site. It was further assembled on site and installed by a team of experts.

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    underwater_library_1200px.jpg
    "Underwater Library", mosaic mural, y. 2018 Size: 8'4"x16', or 2.54m x 4.88m Designed and created by Yulia Hanansen for Elkridge Public Library, Howard County Library System. A diver is exploring an underwater world and in a process discovers a treasure chest full of books and maps. This playful, unique design was made for a part of library facing kids and teenage reader section, it is a part of an underwater theme featured throughout the building. Mosaic was constructed at the studio and transported in 66 separate sections to the site. It was further assembled on site and installed by a team of experts.
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    underwater_library_detail_1200px.jpg
    "Underwater Library", mosaic mural, y. 2018 Detail of the center Size: 8'4"x16', or 2.54m x 4.88m Designed and created by Yulia Hanansen for Elkridge Public Library, Howard County Library System.
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    underwater_library_detail2_900px.jpg
    "Underwater Library", mosaic mural, y. 2018 Size: 8'4"x16', or 2.54m x 4.88m Designed and created by Yulia Hanansen for Elkridge Public Library, Howard County Library System.
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    IMG_3067.JPG
    "Underwater Library", mosaic mural, y. 2018 Size: 8'4"x16', or 2.54m x 4.88m Designed and created by Yulia Hanansen for Elkridge Public Library, Howard County Library System. Installation in progress