Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2022.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2022.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.
Artwork copyright Dixie Friend Gay. The artist Dixie Friend Gay with her art. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2022.
Expanding and Collapsing, 2022
Dixie Friend Gay
(American, born 1953)
Location: Eastern Washington University, Cheney
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Dixie Friend Gay's Expanding and Collapsing mosaic murals blend several sciences together. They are inspired by the inside of a geode, and the strata layers of folding earth, combined with mapping and cells. Thin thread-like lines in the upper mosaic read as veins, in the lower mosaic they read as neurons. The smaller upper mural echoes the larger lower mural – almost a reflection, inverting the colors, playing with light, with a nod to the eye and brain relationship.
Dixie Friend Gay created the mosaic designs in her studio. A fabrication studio glazed tiles to match her colors. The murals were created by laying them out on the floor and then sealing them between two sheets of plastic. The mosaic was cut into sections, crated and shipped to Eastern Washington University, and installed by the artist and her team.
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Eastern Washington University.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Houston, Texas-based artist Dixie Friend Gay creates paintings, mosaic murals, and sculptures for public places. Her artworks examine the natural world while playing with perspective, scale, and vibrant color.
Dixie Friend Gay grew up on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts degree in Studio Arts from New York University. She moved to Houston in 1989 where she now lives and works.
ARTWORK DETAILS
| Medium | Hand-glazed ceramic and glass mosaic |
| Dimensions | 12 ft x 16 ft (part A, first floor) and 9 ft x 16 ft (part B, second floor) |
| ID Number | WSAC2020.004.00A-B |
| Acquisition Method | Site responsive commission |
| Artist Location | Texas, United States |
Location Information
| Agency | Eastern Washington University |
| Artwork Location | Eastern Washington University Interdisciplinary science center (ISC), Two-level lobby (405 Freshman Lane, Cheney, WA) |
| WA County | Spokane |
| Placement | Interior |
| Site Type | University |
| Address | 526 5th St. Cheney, WA 99004 |
| Geo. Coordinates | 47.491655, -117.584148 |
| Before Visiting | Some artworks may be located in areas not accessible to the general public (especially in K-12 public schools). Consider contacting the site prior to a visit to ensure access. |
| Map |
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