Croydon’s Fishpond Mosaic
In 1996, the London Borough of Croydon unveiled a remarkable piece of public art that quickly became one of Britain’s most celebrated mosaics: the Fishpond Mosaic.
The impressive award-wining artwork was designed by Gary Drostle and created in collaboration with Rob Turner.
Measuring around two metres in diameter, the piece was crafted in the trompe-l’œil style - an illusionary technique that tricks the eye - so that it resembled a shimmering pond filled with swimming fish.
The mosaic was no ordinary decorative floor piece.
Drostle employed a dual shadow system to create an extraordinary sense of realism: “primary shadows” gave the fish three-dimensional body and depth, while subtle “shadow-shadows” anchored them to the surface of the water.
The result was an interesting illusion that made locals feel as if they were peering into a living pool hidden in the heart of Croydon.
The work’s innovation and artistry were quickly recognised.
In 1997, just a year after its installation, the Fishpond Mosaicwas awarded the International Mosaic of the Year Award in the Landscape category, cementing its place as a milestone in contemporary mosaic art.
Creating the Fishpond Mosaic was a labour-intensive process that took several months from concept to completion.
The work required meticulous design, careful material selection, and precise handcrafting to achieve the lifelike fish and trompe-l’œil effects.
Gary Drostle (pictured above) is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary mosaic artists, known for his mastery of both public and private commissions.
Trained in fine art and with a deep appreciation for traditional mosaic techniques, Drostle has spent decades blending historical inspiration with modern design.
Over the years, he has completed numerous high-profile commissions across the UK and internationally, including school projects, urban spaces, and landmark architectural sites.
His other mosaics have won multiple awards - and projects like the Fishpond Mosaic exemplify his philosophy of creating art that interacts with the environment.
Drostle also ensured that his work was durable enough to survive as a public artwork, but sadly, the story of the Fishpond Mosaic does not have a happy ending.
Despite its acclaim, the artwork was vulnerable to the rapid pace of redevelopment in central Croydon.
This photo below shows its deserted stated around 2019.
Reports from locals and visitors suggest that the mosaic was destroyed during building works, leaving behind only photographs of its brief but brilliant existence.
Reacting to the photo on Facebook, someone said: “It looks very Roman. It reminds me of the Roman mosaics of the Villa Casale at Piazza Armerina, Sicily though the design around the edge is very Greek. Nice work...love the sense of depth.”
Another person added: “Wow! The more I look the more amazed I am in how he designed this. He captured every aspect of light, motion and natural physics in this.”
Another replied: “I thought they were really under water and I was just seeing decorated tile under a pool of water. The whole thing is on a surface? Well done. So beautiful.”
Another example of Gary’s work can be seen below.
Should we see more mosaics like this in London, and if so, should they be preserved and maintained?
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