Permanently peeking out from a wall in Gradara, Italy, a pair of eyes in black and white stare soulfully across the road. Titled “Beyond the Walls”, this large public art piece was created by pixel master Giovanni Contardi and ceramicist Roberto Pompucci, with months of work and 50,000 hand painted tiles creating a striking homage to female empowerment.

It’s the fourth time the two have collaborated, with previous artworks including an iteration of Ferruccio Mengaroni’s The Medusa, a triumphant tribute to King Crimson with a mosaic version of the art for their album In the Court of the Crimson King, and the iconic screaming face of Janet Leigh in Psycho.

Most recently, and continuing the wacky, wonderful, and horror heavy theme, The Shining‘s Jack Torrence features in their latest collaboration with his spooky ‘Here’s Johnny’ grin.

Follow Giovanni Contardi here to stay up to date with his latest Rubik’s Cube creations, and follow Roberto Pompucci for a whole host of glaze effects and fabulous ceramics.

A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, November 2024.