Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2019.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2019.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2019.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2019.

Artwork copyright Marita Dingus. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2019 (composite image).

Dancing Spirit 6, 2018

Marita Dingus
(American, born 1956)

Location: The Evergreen State College, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Marita Dingus creates her art using recycled and discarded materials. This life-size sculpture is made of string lights wiring and other assorted plastic and metal pieces and wires. Dingus notes, "Dancing is about finding joy. Life is hard, but if we can find joy, we can get through it."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with The Evergreen State College.

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.