Sika Viagbo – Master of Art mosaicist

Ile-de-France – 1979

Sika Viagbo, a mosaic artist, distinguishes herself through the unique nature of her creations, exploring a diverse range of materials including brass and wood. Her journey into mosaic began in 2001, while she was studying musicology, when she received tesserae from a friend. Instantly captivated by these small glass pieces, she began creating various assemblages and compositions, initially for her own home décor.

Sika’s professional mosaic career began in 2003, when word-of-mouth led to her first commission: a cladding project for a hair salon. In the absence of formal education, she developed her skills through self-study. Her expertise was further enhanced during a six-month internship with master mosaicist Pierre Mesguich, followed by a brief architectural course. In 2006, supported by Ateliers de Paris, she established her studio, atelier lilikpó (meaning “cloud” in ewe, a language of Togo), dedicated to crafting unique decorative designs.

Drawing inspiration from fashion, nature, and embroidery, Sika engages in collaborations with architectural firms and luxury houses. Notably, she has crafted decorative elements for Cartier’s boutiques across major cities including Paris, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, and Seoul.

2022 – Title « Master of Art »

2018 – Laureate of the Grand Prix de la création de la ville de Paris- Confirmed Craft Category – (for the work « Prune Verte »).

Research and innovation

Sika’s mosaic work is marked by innovation, blending glass marquetry (inspired by stained glass) and wood, and integrating unexpected materials such as leather, brass, or stoneware into her unique creations. Her self-taught path has allowed her to challenge traditional mosaic norms, offering a distinctly contemporary perspective. Her studio reflects a deep commitment to CSR and environmental stewardship. For example, she employs the terrazzo method to valorize debris and adheres to a “zero waste” philosophy. Furthermore, her micro filigree mosaic technique facilitates the reuse of glass fragments

Transmission

Since 2008, Sika Viagbo has prioritized sharing her expertise, focusing on hosting and providing long-term training for interns and apprentices. Her commitment was rewarded with the “Prix Savoir-faire en Transmission”, which subsequently allowed her to mentor two apprentices in both 2015 and 2019.

Recognized as a Maître d’Art in 2022, she undertook a three-year engagement to train Alix Tramba-Rivat. This initiative aims to transfer her specialized techniques, foster Alix’s professional development, and collaboratively build an interior decoration hub within her workshop.

Sika is seeking support from the Fondation to furnish her workshop with a wood laser cutting machine. This strategic acquisition is crucial for her multi-material explorations, providing the capacity to internalize critical production phases, drastically cut lead times, and significantly improve overall operational efficiency.