He was a boy forbidden to explore the artistic elements of textile and embroidery, but we’re sure glad Gabriel Dawe didn’t listen. His vibrant creations, created with hooks and bright gradients of embroidery thread, are site-specific installations, often dizzying to directly gaze. A nod to his Mexican heritage- he was born and raised in Mexico- the pieces explore the connection between fashion and architecture, commenting on the human need for shelter in all its shapes and forms. Through the exploration of textiles he uses, Dawe examines gender construction, working to subvert the notions of masculinity and machismo that caused the original forbidding of his work.

Internationally known, hosting exhibits from Canada to Brussels, Dawe’s most recent “Plexus” series uses one unique long piece of thread, sometimes reaching upwards of 37 miles. For others in the series, he uses intersecting structures to create amorphous clouds of color, which he uses as a means to evoke the invibsle forces that shape our existence, and to draw attention to the invisible order amidst the chaos of life.

To see more of Gabriel Dawe’s work, check out his website here.