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Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Blue Horizontal Striped Figure, 1994

Marita Dingus
American (born 1956)

Location: Chautauqua Elementary, Vashon Island

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About the Artwork

Blue Horizontal Striped Figure is part of artist Marita Dingus' body of sculptures created using recycled and discarded materials. Inspired by female African ancestors, her depiction of African culture is informed by her travels to Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, and Egypt. The sculpture is made of plastic casing that has been filled with a variety of strips of fabrics.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Vashon Island School District.

About the Artist

Northwest artist Marita Dingus is an African American feminist and environmental artist. She is a mixed media sculptor who uses discarded and recycled materials. In her own words, “My approach to producing art is environmentally and politically infused: neither waste humanity nor the gifts of nature . . . The discarded materials represent how people of African descent were used during the institution of slavery and colonialism then discarded, but who found ways to repurpose themselves and thrive in a hostile world.”

Dingus received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and both a Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from San Jose State University in California. She grew up in Auburn, Western Washington, and still lives and works there. She received the 2018 Twining Humber Award for lifetime artistic achievement.

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