Lifestyle & CultureMosaic Art

Mosaic Art Meets Contemporary Horror Genre

(4 min read) Those of you who follow this blog are probably well aware of the fact that I get somewhat personally invested in each post. Also, you might or might not know that I am an avid horror fan by now. So, I had this idea to write a blog post about famous mosaics in horror movies to honor the fact that the game-changing horror movie Hereditary hit the theatres in June of last year. But unfortunately, the internet had virtually nothing to offer on the said subject. However, scraping through thoughtful mumbling of fellow bloggers and superficial ramblings of magazines, online, and otherwise, I ran into some pretty gritty dark matter. (pun intended Michelle Paver)

Ancient Mosaic Art showing a skeleton.
Famous “Be Cheerful, Enjoy Your Life” Mosaic.


Darkness and death have always been both subjects of great interest from early on in human history. Keeping in mind that mosaic is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression, it doesn’t come as a surprise that skulls, skeletons and grim reapers always had their loyal fans among mosaic artists. One of the most famous examples is probably The Skull, and the Level mosaic from Pompeii, which now proudly resides in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

This magnificent mosaic is full of symbolism and explaining it all would be too much for this one post. However, considering how witty and insightful the audience of this website is, I’m sure you have no trouble guessing it all. Meanwhile, on the other part of the globe, on the territory of today’s Mexico, skilled mosaic artists depicted a similar subject in a different manner. Using shells and vibrantly colored pebbles and gems, Mixtec people made their own sculpture mosaics.

The Skull And The Level Mosaic Artwork.
The Skull And The Level Mosaic.
Mixteca-Puebla Style Mosaic Scull Artwork.
Mixteca-Puebla Style Mosaic Scull.


Most people today don’t realize that the mosaic artists crafting those sculls and pictures of death, were Cravens and Carpenters of their time. Yes, sure, the horror of it all is much more “artsy”, but it’s still horror nonetheless. Needless to say, mosaic art prevailed even in this digital age of animated movie gore, and it keeps capturing elements of horror art and genre till this day.

One of the most famous examples of mosaic art celebrating horror genre are the glorious walls of Leytonstone tube station, London, UK. The Mosaic artworks created on these walls are honoring the craft and legacy of legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Some of them show famous scenes from Hitchcock’s movies and some show the director himself. Either way, whether you’re a horror fan or just a fan of the seventh art, this terrific station is worth visiting.

The Review Mirror Mosaic at Leytonstone tube station, London, UK
The Review Mirror Mosaic.
Alfred Hitchcock Directing Mosaic Artwork Leytonstone tube station, London, UK
Alfred Hitchcock Directing Mosaic Art Piece.


One of famous examples of horror characters in mosaic art is certainly Jason Mecier’s, Freddy Krueger made of licorice (talk about irony!). Mecier included The Nightmare on Elm Street’s trickster in his Red Vines series, together with the likes of Dexter’s Michael C. Hall and another horror icon, Kim Kardashian. (we’re heavy on sarcasm in this blog…)

Freddy Krueger Mosaic artwork by Jason Mecier.
Freddy Krueger Mosaic, Copyright © Jason Mecier.
Kim Kardashian Mosaic Design by Jason Mecier.
Kim Kardashian Mosaic, Copyright © Jason Mecier.


Last but not least, if you are into some classics with Bella Lugosi and Boris Karloff, or if you are crazy about Vincent Price like I am, mosaic art has found a way to establish itself there as well. Mark Bloom and Maggie Rickard of Velvet Glass created the gorgeous stained glass series called simply Classic Monster Mosaics. Horror oldies from the 1930s found their way into the hearts of contemporary art fans yet again. All pieces are handcrafted in monochromatic black-and-white tones, which adds to their twisted and captivating beauty.

Frankenstein Mosaic Artwork by Velvet Glass.
Frankenstein Mosaic, Copyright © Velvet Glass.
The Mummy Mosaic Design by Velvet Glass
The Mummy Mosaic, Copyright © Velvet Glass

Let’s end this dark and wonderful journey with a quote from Love’s Shadow by Lawren Leo, cuz he pretty much summed up some major thrust in one sentence: “The earth is a mosaic, and most fail to notice the gossamer tesserae floating down from the realm of the mind that form its images of beauty and horror.”


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M. Belosh

M. Belosh

Passionate art enthusiast; avid reader (you can find me on Goodreads under the same name); movie connoisseur; intolerable before my morning coffee.

48 Comments

  1. Stephanie
    August 14, 2019 at 3:45 pm

    These are definitely darker mosaics than I’m used to seeing. I’m not a fan of horror anything, but can still take in the artistic value of these pieces in history.

  2. Stacie
    August 14, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    Oh wow. These look amazing. They are delightfully creepy. I really love the vibe on these.

  3. Danielle
    August 14, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    That last quote by Lawren Leo is going to stick with me forever, I got chills from it. Very cool. I have to check out that UK tube station; we will be heading that way to work in the next few months. Thanks for sharing!

  4. kumamonjeng
    August 14, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    These are incredible artwork, you can see how creative and talented these artists were.

  5. Lina
    August 14, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    mosaic is an art that has maintained its validity throughout the years, and that is still used artistically today in the decoration of interior and exterior environments

  6. Norma Nikutowski
    August 14, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    These horror mosaics are ideal for halloween. My favorite was the Mixteca-Puebla Style Mosaic Scull.

  7. Heather
    August 14, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    I’m so fascinated by the art of mosaics. It’s amazing how so many small pieces can come together to make one big, beautiful mural.

  8. Myrah Duque
    August 15, 2019 at 10:49 am

    The quote by Lawren Leo is amazing. Incredible artwork for sure. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Flossie McCowald
    August 15, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    Wow those are crazy! I think I like the 3D blue mosaic skull the best. A perfect garden decoration for Halloween!

  10. Jasmine Hewitt
    August 15, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Amazing quote at the end! These are a little dark but a lot of people create entire home decor themes around this stuff!

  11. Kita Roberts
    August 15, 2019 at 10:47 pm

    Wow! These artworks are really beautifully creepy! The artists are really talented.

  12. Lilo Brown
    August 15, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    I love art. The mosaic art gives me a different vibe. I’m not necessarily into the skulls and how they are portrayed as the picture of death, but I like how the art stands out in creativity.

  13. Nichelle
    August 15, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    This is Nichelle commenting as Lilo Brown. That is one of my pen names that came up some how.

  14. Angela Tolsma
    August 16, 2019 at 12:55 am

    The night on elm street is fascinating. I wouldn’t have thought to look for horror mosaics and you’ve managed to find some awesome ones.

  15. Nailil
    August 16, 2019 at 1:22 am

    These are diferent! I had never really seen any like it!

  16. Arun Dahiya
    August 16, 2019 at 3:27 am

    I am a fan of horror genre. Would love seeing the London tube and classic mosiacs in person. So creative.

  17. Yeah Lifestyle
    August 16, 2019 at 4:12 am

    I am a big fan of yours but I totally enjoyed reading this post the most as it is so well written and the fact that you have shared the horror themed mosaics is actually fun to read about and look at.

  18. Kate
    August 16, 2019 at 4:14 am

    Wow, I love these mosaics – they are stunning. I particularly like the Mixteca-Puebla style skull!

  19. Rosey
    August 16, 2019 at 4:45 am

    The Kim K. comment made me laugh. I really like the Frankenstein mosaic.

  20. Rosey
    August 16, 2019 at 4:47 am

    The Kim K. comment made me laugh. I like that Frankenstein mosaic.

    • August 17, 2019 at 10:24 am

      It is Kim you know lol…Thanks a lot for your comment.

  21. Melanie williams
    August 16, 2019 at 5:32 am

    What an interesting mix. I love mosaic art as it is something people can even easily re-create at home if they fancy getting arty xx

  22. alexandra cook
    August 16, 2019 at 7:10 am

    What an amazing artwork. Though it looks creepy it was really stunning. SO creative doing these mosaics.

  23. Farah Al Zadjaly
    August 16, 2019 at 7:55 am

    I love mosaic art, they are fascinating and usually always colourful. A good outlook on the pieces.

  24. Catherine Santiago Jose
    August 16, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    I am always amaze every time I see a different designs of beautiful mosaic arts but honestly, I am not a fan of any scary things like this but they are beautiful and I know someone will truly love a design like this and that is my sister.

    • August 17, 2019 at 10:23 am

      I need to have a word with your sister then lol…On a serious note, thanks a lot for your comment.

  25. Angela
    August 16, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    Wow, I love art and this is very unique! I had never seen this mosaic-horror art work before!

  26. Angela
    August 16, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Wow, I love art and this is very unique! I had never seen mosaic-horror pieces before!

  27. Neely Moldovan
    August 16, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    Those are super fascinating! I love the horror element it really makes them take on a new life

  28. Sophia
    August 16, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    I have never seen anything like this before but it looks like true talent.

  29. Kuntala Bhattacharya
    August 16, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Quite creepy images but very artistic. Your post simply amazes me. Never have been so interested in mosaic art.

  30. Holly
    August 16, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    What an interesting art collection. Mosiacs are so fun and horror is such a unique genre for this style.

  31. Stephanie Cruz
    August 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    This is my first time stumbling upon your blog and you reeled me in with your insight on mosaic art.. love the dark yet fascinating stories behind it as well.

    • August 17, 2019 at 10:21 am

      Welcome to my world Stephanie lol…Thanks a lot for enjoying the post.

  32. Catherine
    August 17, 2019 at 12:53 am

    How fascinating and beautiful too! I love the gothic tones to the artwork. Thanks for sharing!

  33. Kiwi
    August 17, 2019 at 3:04 am

    i love when horror and art unites! Some of these are amazing and I wont lie some of them are a little creepish!

  34. twinspirational
    August 17, 2019 at 3:05 am

    The mosaic skull looks so creepy, I won’t dare to put it anywhere in my house. Haha. I’d rather see the Freddie Krueger or Kim’s mosaic on my living area. It’s cool.

  35. Philomath
    August 17, 2019 at 5:18 am

    I’m also a fan of horror and these are pretty nice. I think the last ones are good and a bit scary. Especially, when his eyes are open.

  36. Elizabeth O
    August 17, 2019 at 7:21 am

    I love mosaics but I’m not a fan of the horror genre in any form. It was very interesting to see Jason Mecier’s licorice art.

  37. Kenneth Agudo
    August 17, 2019 at 8:31 am

    I was a fan of mosaic back then and I can see the vibes of hinduism culture idk why. Anyways, this is quite scary for me especially you put it in you room and you see this at night. Haha.

    • August 17, 2019 at 10:20 am

      I know exactly what you mean lol Although i might display it in my living room, i would never hang it in my bedroom, no way!!!

  38. Laura
    August 17, 2019 at 8:49 am

    These look so cool and so well done. Some of these do look creepy though x

  39. pooja Malkani
    August 17, 2019 at 11:03 am

    These are great some artwork! I hardly know anything about art but always appreciate the thought behind a picture.

  40. Lana
    August 17, 2019 at 11:49 am

    That’s so cool—love mosaics and enjoyed your commentary on some of these creepier mosaics! Did you visit these in person?

    • August 18, 2019 at 9:49 am

      I know a few of these and yes visited them in person. Beautiful work.

  41. Catherine Santiago Jose
    August 17, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    I love the different designs of a mosaic arts they are really beautiful but I am not really a fan of these horror designs because it really scared me a lot.

  42. Courtney
    August 18, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    Omg so many neat designs!!! I’m getting total Halloween vibes from looking at all the skulls

  43. Sam
    September 1, 2019 at 9:47 am

    This is so cool! A bit harrowing but loving this type of art. Definitely stands out if you have it in your living room or something haha!