Gabriel Dawe (born 1973) is a Mexican-born artist living in Dallas, Texas, whose work is based on investigations of the visible

spectrum A spectrum (plural ''spectra'' or ''spectrums'') is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of colors i ...

of light. He has gained renown for his large-scale Plexus series of installations of sewing thread, though he also creates works on paper as well as other media. His work has been exhibited in the US, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, and the UK.

Background

Originally from Mexico City, Dawe initially trained as a graphic designer, but during his studies at the

University of Texas at Dallas The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD or UT Dallas) is a public research university in Richardson, Texas. It is one of the largest public universities in the Dallas area and the northernmost institution of the University of Texas system. It wa ...

, he began to investigate the connection between fashion and architecture. His use of materials related to textiles stems from a childhood frustration of not being allowed by his grandmother to learn traditional needlework because of societal expectations for boys.

Education

He received his bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Mexico and his MFA at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he was an artist in residence at

CentralTrak The University of Texas at Dallas (also referred to as UT Dallas or UTD) is a public research university in the University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas main campus is located in Richardson, Texas. The University of Texas at ...

for the final two years of his degree.

Plexus series

Named for the

network Network, networking and networked may refer to: Science and technology * Network theory, the study of graphs as a representation of relations between discrete objects * Network science, an academic field that studies complex networks Mathematics ...

of blood vessels or nerves that run throughout the body and form connections, Dawe's Plexus series are large-scale networks of sewing thread that are investigations of the visible spectrum of light. They are often site-specific, temporary commissions that the artist transforms into compacted displays of thread he calls relics when the exhibitions are over. Most notably, the artist's work was part of the reopening of the Renwick Gallery in the exhibition ''Wonder''. He has also installed Plexus works at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Brigham Young University, and the Denver Art Museum, among others.

Selected solo exhibitions

2016

Plexus No. 34
:

Amon Carter Museum of American Art Amon may refer to: Mythology * Amun, an Ancient Egyptian deity, also known as Amon and Amon-Ra * Aamon, a Goetic demon People Momonym * Amon of Judah ( 664– 640 BC), king of Judah Given name * Amon G. Carter (1879–1955), American p ...

: Fort Worth, TX Plexus c18 :

San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport is an international airport in San Antonio, Texas. It is in Uptown Central San Antonio, about north of Downtown. It has three runways and covers . Its elevation is above sea level. SAT averages 260 daily dep ...

: San Antonio, TX

2015

Plexus A1 : Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum : Washington, D.C.

2014

Plexus No. 29 :

Brigham Young University Museum of Art The Brigham Young University Museum of Art, located in Provo, Utah, United States is the university's primary art museum and is one of the best attended university-campus art museums in the United States. The museum, which had been discussed for ...

: Provo, UT Requiem for a Fallen Structure : Conduit Gallery : Dallas, TX Plexus No. 28 : Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art : Virginia Beach, VA Plexus No. 27 : Crystal Bridges : Bentonville, AR Plexus No. 26 : Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum : San Antonio, TX Plexus No. 25 : Contemporary Art Museum, Raleigh : Raleigh, NC

2013

Plexus No. 23 .1 : Museum Rijswijk : Rijswijk, Netherlands Threading Light : Zadok Gallery : Miami, FL Light Paradox : Gutstein Gallery : Savannah College of Art and Design : Savannah, GA

2012

Blinding Pain : Conduit Gallery : Dallas, TX Plexus No. 15 : LSU Museum of Art : Baton Rouge, LA The Density of Light : Galerie Lot 10 : Brussels, Belgium Plexus No. 12 : The Juanita Harvey Art Gallery, MWSU : Wichita Falls, TX

2011

Plexus No. 9 : Peel Gallery : Houston, TX Plexus No. 8 : The Luminary Arts Center : St. Louis, MO

2010

Plexus No. 4 : Dallas Contemporary : Annex North Gallery : Dallas, TX Plexus No. 3 : Guerrilla Arts : Dallas, TX Plexus No. 2, Convergence : Conduit Gallery : Project Room : Dallas, TX

2007

Luz Gallery : Montreal, Canada

2004

Luz Gallery : Montreal, Canada

2002

The Light Within The Shadow : Rad’a Gallery : Montreal, Canada

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawe, Gabriel 1973 births Living people Mexican emigrants to the United States Mexican artists Artists from Mexico City