Mosaic Tarot

The Mosaic Tarot is a unique 78-card deck where each card's imagery is derived from large-scale, hand-crafted mosaics. Artist John Withee created these mosaics from broken pieces of ceramic tile, with the entire collection spanning over 2,500 square feet. The project aimed to translate the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) symbolism into a distinct, tactile art form, offering a fresh perspective on a classic tarot system.

The creation process involved not only the intricate assembly of thousands of ceramic fragments but also the subsequent photography of these large art pieces to produce the card images. This method imbues the deck with a raw, textured aesthetic that stands apart from traditional illustrations or digital art. The campaign also highlighted a companion book, "The Cucumber Boat's Guide To Tarot," which offers interpretations informed by intentional sobriety and living with C-PTSD, providing a deeply personal and therapeutic lens through which to engage with the RWS system.

The deck's journey from large art installation to a portable card set reflects a profound artistic and personal endeavor. It offers a tangible connection to the creative process, with backers even having the opportunity to influence design decisions. The Mosaic Tarot is positioned as both a functional reading tool and a collectible art object, bridging the gap between fine art and divination practice.

This deck is ideal for tarot collectors seeking unique, art-driven decks, particularly those interested in mosaic art or mixed media. It appeals to Rider-Waite-Smith readers who appreciate a fresh, textured interpretation of familiar imagery. Readers interested in a deck with a strong personal and therapeutic narrative, especially concerning sobriety and mental health, will find the companion guide's perspective valuable. It may also attract those who value artisan-crafted items and the story behind their creation.

John Withee embarked on the ambitious project of creating 78 large-scale mosaics, each representing a card from the Rider-Waite deck, using broken ceramic tiles. This extensive artistic endeavor, totaling over 2,500 square feet of mosaic art, was then translated into a tarot deck. Withee also authored "The Cucumber Boat's Guide To Tarot," a companion book that delves into the RWS system through the lens of intentional sobriety and living with C-PTSD, reflecting a deeply personal and therapeutic approach to tarot.