Dixie Friend Gay
Encyclopedia
Dixie Friend Gay is a U.S.
visual artist who works in a variety of media and is noted for work that explores the power of nature.
She was born as Dixie Friend in Oklahoma
and raised on a cattle ranch. She taught art for three years at a rural school before moving to the East Coast. In 1989 she earned a Master's degree in Studio Arts from New York University
. She was the 2003 Texas State Artist of the Year. She now resides in Houston.
. The installation, “Houston Bayou,” comprises a Byzantine glass mosaic mural on a 73 feet (22.3 m)-long serpentine wall, columns, and the terrazzo floor design. It was selected as one of the best public art installations in the United States by the national organization Americans for the Arts
for its "Fresh Perspectives / Public Art Year in Review 2002". The installation also received "Craftsmanship Awards" from the Houston and the Regional Chapters of the Construction Specifications Institute
in 2002.
She also designed the central plaza for Sylvan Rodriguez Clear Lake Park. Gay designed a grove of 13 oaks, one for each cycle of the moon in the solar year. She created a labyrinth-paving pattern based on a one at Chartres Cathedral in France
; and stone portals that mark the points on the horizon where the sun will rise and set on the winter and summer solstices. In preparation for the park, she researched astronomy, archeology and sacred geometry.
She has completed two installations for The Woodlands
. In 2006 she designed a series of Byzantine glass mosaic murals to fit in the niches along a waterway. The murals contained examples of native flora and fauna. In 2008 she designed an installation entitled "Treasures from Grandma's Purse" which is composed of a terrazzo floor with bronze and glass objects inserted in it.
In 2007 she completed an installation at the Port of Miami
entitled "Ephemeral Everglades". The baggage claim area features three dimensional prints of native flowers and butterflies. The entrance lobby has large ink on canvas prints depicting Everglades habitats.
In 2008 Gay completed a Byzantine mosaic mural at the Indianapolis International Airport
entitled "Autumn Prairie Morning". The mural features wildflowers and animals native to prairie land in the central United States.
Also in 2008 she completed a 25 feet (7.6 m) metal spider entitled "Arachnophilia". The spider is located in the Mueller development in Austin, Texas
. The spider straddles a hike and bike trail.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
visual artist who works in a variety of media and is noted for work that explores the power of nature.
She was born as Dixie Friend in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and raised on a cattle ranch. She taught art for three years at a rural school before moving to the East Coast. In 1989 she earned a Master's degree in Studio Arts from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. She was the 2003 Texas State Artist of the Year. She now resides in Houston.
Studio art
Dixie Gay has produced art in many different media. Through the years she has produced sculptures, prints, drawings, and paintings. On several occasions she has combined two or more of these in one piece. For example, several of her paintings contain sculptural elements, especially those made before 2003. Paintings made since 2003 lack sculptural components and feature warped landscapes. Of her sculpture, the Chrysalides, haunting hollow fiberglass figures, are the most prominent, reappearing in several forms over the years.Public art
In February 2002 Gay completed a commission at George Bush Intercontinental AirportGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
. The installation, “Houston Bayou,” comprises a Byzantine glass mosaic mural on a 73 feet (22.3 m)-long serpentine wall, columns, and the terrazzo floor design. It was selected as one of the best public art installations in the United States by the national organization Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is a nonprofit organization whose primary focus is advancing the arts in the United States. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service...
for its "Fresh Perspectives / Public Art Year in Review 2002". The installation also received "Craftsmanship Awards" from the Houston and the Regional Chapters of the Construction Specifications Institute
Construction Specifications Institute
The Construction Specifications Institute is an organization that maintains and advances the standardization of construction language as pertains to building specifications...
in 2002.
She also designed the central plaza for Sylvan Rodriguez Clear Lake Park. Gay designed a grove of 13 oaks, one for each cycle of the moon in the solar year. She created a labyrinth-paving pattern based on a one at Chartres Cathedral in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; and stone portals that mark the points on the horizon where the sun will rise and set on the winter and summer solstices. In preparation for the park, she researched astronomy, archeology and sacred geometry.
She has completed two installations for The Woodlands
The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands is a master-planned community and a Census-designated place in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. The population of the CDP was 55,649 at the 2000 census—a 90 percent increase over its 1990 population. According to the 2010 census, The Woodlands' population rose...
. In 2006 she designed a series of Byzantine glass mosaic murals to fit in the niches along a waterway. The murals contained examples of native flora and fauna. In 2008 she designed an installation entitled "Treasures from Grandma's Purse" which is composed of a terrazzo floor with bronze and glass objects inserted in it.
In 2007 she completed an installation at the Port of Miami
Port of Miami
The Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami is a seaport located in Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida, United States. It is connected to Downtown Miami by Port Boulevard, a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. The port is located on Dodge Island, which is the combination of three historic islands that have...
entitled "Ephemeral Everglades". The baggage claim area features three dimensional prints of native flowers and butterflies. The entrance lobby has large ink on canvas prints depicting Everglades habitats.
In 2008 Gay completed a Byzantine mosaic mural at the Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport is a public airport located seven miles southwest of the central business district of Indianapolis, a city in Marion County, Indiana, United States. It is owned and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority...
entitled "Autumn Prairie Morning". The mural features wildflowers and animals native to prairie land in the central United States.
Also in 2008 she completed a 25 feet (7.6 m) metal spider entitled "Arachnophilia". The spider is located in the Mueller development in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. The spider straddles a hike and bike trail.
External links
- Official site (text used with permission)
- Article about spider