A re-creation of the famed Surfing Madonna mosaic is being auctioned to help artist Mark Patterson cover the fines and fees he racked up after the city ordered him to remove his artwork from public property.
Patterson and Carlsbad artist Bryan Snyder collaborated on the re-creation, which is about half the size of the original. This new version features an image of Surfing Madonna, which Snyder painted using his signature drip technique, never allowing the brush to touch the canvas—as evidenced in his behind-the-scenes video of the project. Patterson then created an intricate mosaic along the edges of the canvas using glass from the original Surfing Madonna mosaic.
The bid opened Tuesday, and as of now, there is no closing date. Anyone interested in buying the artwork can send an email to theartist@snyderartdesign.com. There’s not a starting bid, though the men are hoping to bring in enough money to cover Patterson’s $6,000 art installation debt.
The re-creation also aims to promote the original Surfing Madonna and its message of ocean conservation. Keeping in that vein, the men have also launched a website dedicated to the project and its mission.
The original Surfing Madonna mysteriously appeared underneath an Encinitas bridge just before Easter. It was weeks before the public learned that Patterson was the mastermind who put it there. In June the city ordered that the mosaic be removed from public property. Several busineses and residents have since expressed an interest in buying it, and Patterson is keeping the artwork in storage until he decides its permanent home.
The central portion of the Surfing Madonna and the smaller re-creation will both be on display during the annual LeucadiArt Walk on Aug. 28.
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