Gabriel Dawe

For over a decade, I’ve created the Plexus Series, site-specific installations made with sewing thread. The choice of thread, a deliberate exploration into gender constructs, unravels layers of childhood trauma within the confines of the machismo-soaked Mexican society in which I grew up as a queer boy. The word Plexus is a fitting title as it not only alludes to the networks within the human body, but also materializes as intricate webs that pulsate with luminosity.

The installation’s luminous complexity functions as an immersive experience, a contemplative space where the boundaries between individual and environment blur, unveiling a harmonious interdependence. This ethereal tapestry mirrors my exploration of light, color, gender, and societal norms, creating an artistic expression that touches the essence of the human spirit.

After an artist residency in the high Arctic, my work is shifting from ideas of fragmented light, towards explorations of ice, aligning with global climate concerns. This shift parallels humanity’s call to become better stewards of our home planet. The new Plexus installations aim to advocate for a better treatment of our planet, prompting reflection on better environmental stewardship.