Twentieth century mosaic at Market Square, Basildon (EHER 80107)

An untitled abstract mosaic by the artist Geoffrey Clarke which projects from the Northern elevation at 26-28 Town Square, a four-storey shop unit in the 20th century shopping precinct in Basildon's Market Square.

June 2024. Heritage Assessment. An untitled abstract mosaic by the artist Geoffrey Clarke which projects from the Northern elevation at 26-28 Town Square, a four-storey shop unit in the 20th century shopping precinct in Basildon's Market Square. The mosaic was designed by the sculptor Geoffrey Clarke. Clarke initially created a painting which was then translated into the mosaic by his wife Ethelwynne Tyrer (known as Bill) who pieced the glass tesserae together at their home in Suffolk. The mosaic was added in 1958, once the parade of shops had been completed. The four-storey building projects North to support the mosaic at first, second and third floor levels. The mosaic is supported at ground floor level by two concrete columns. The mosaic is on a dedicated rectangular curved (slightly concave) ‘plate’ made of concrete with a horizontal line marking a cornice with a concrete coping at the top. It is constructed of small square light to dark grey mosaic glass tesserae adhered to concrete. The lighter grey mosaic tesserae form an abstract image which is visually dynamic and appears to move. The concrete ‘plate’ was attached to the building where it extended proud of the main frontage wall line. The precinct is set to be demolished to facilitate new commercial and domestic redevelopment of the area.<1>