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 (: spectra or spectrums) is a set of related ideas, objects, or properties whose features overlap such that they blend to form a continuum. The word ''spectrum'' was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of co ...

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, United States. It is the northernmost institution of the University of Texas System. It was initially founded in 1961 as a private res ...

, 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 for the final two years of his degree.

Plexus series

Named for the network 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

2023

Blanton Museum of Art The Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art (often referred to as the Blanton or the BMA) at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest university art museums in the U.S. with 189,340 square feet devoted to temporary exhibitions, permanent co ...

2016

*Plexus No. 34 : Amon Carter Museum of American Art : Fort Worth, TX *Plexus c18 : San Antonio International Airport : 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 : Provo, UT

References

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