Mary Borgen — Biography & CV

Biography

Mary Borgen's mosaics are created in the Trencadis Style, derived from the invention of the style by Antoni Gaudi, the Catalan architect. He use tile, whereas she uses glass. Here are a couple references of this term, Trencadis --

Excerpt from Antoni Gaudi, Complete Works, vol. II, Isabel Artigas, Taschen 2007

"Mosaic

Although this decorative technique had existed for centuries in Catalonia, the use of mosaics reached its peak during the Modernista movement. The leading architects in the late 19th and early 20th century used this technique in many of their buildings, most notably Antoni Gaudi, who had used it from the start of his career…Gaudi devised a unique technique called trencadis which consists of filling large surfaces with small, irregular pieces of broken ceramic, marble, glass and tiles, forming an original and strikingly colorful puzzle. This technique can be found on the facade of Casa Batllo and especially in Park Guell…" (p 536)

Excerpt taken from Gaudi, Kohn Gill, Parragon Publishing, 2004

"Glossary

Trencadis mosaic - From the Catalan verb "trencar," to break - a mosaic made from deliberately (rather than accidentally) broken materials. Robert Hughes, among other critics, credits Gaudi with "inventing" the collage technique (p 255).
EDUCATION

BIOGRAPHY

After her studies, Mary started her own design business.

Her work has been featured in many magazines, including Victoria, New York Magazine, Modern Bride, Country Living, Smithsonian , Bloomingdale’s, Gump’s, Horchow, Celebration Fantastic, Ross Simon, and others. Her business grew to include 18 assistants.

After many years Mary decided to close her business in order to raise a family. She is married to Scott Goudeau, a composer, guitarist, and recording artist. They have 3 children.

As the children grew, Mary found herself drawn to mosaics and began focusing on them, learning all she could, inventing her own techniques, developing her own unique style with glass mosaics, She especially loves to work on large-scaled mosaics, with her largest mural to date, measuring 26.5 ft. wide by 9 ft. tall.

Clients have remarked that she paints with glass.

Her work can be found in the Tennessee State Museum, and in numerous collections across the country.

Curriculum Vitae

Mary Borgen studied Fine Art and Art History at:

1983-85 Parsons School of Design, New York
1983 Tulane University/ Newcomb College
New Orleans, LA
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Art History, studio art

1982 Louisiana State University
Paris, France
Summer Abroad Program

1979 New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
New Orleans, LA

1979 Callandria School of Painting
New Orleans, LA

1978-79 Loyola University
New Orleans, LA

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