Artist Talk: Marita Dingus

Join artist Marita Dingus in the Western Gallery as she discusses her work and distinguished career. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided. Hosted as part of Arbitrary Borders: Works by artists of color in Washington’s State Art Collection.

About Marita

Washington State based artist Marita Dingus was born in Seattle in 1956. Raised in nearby Auburn, Washington, she continues to reside in her childhood home to this day. Teachers motivated Dingus to pursue art from a young age, by 5th grade distributing copies of her work throughout her school to be colored by fellow students. In high school, Dingus recalls her brother-in-law inquiring why she never drew Black people. She cites this epiphany as a crucial turning point in the development of her artistic identity and subsequent work. After relocating from the University of Washington to the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, Dingus studied abroad in Rome and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Throughout the mid-1980s, Dingus transitioned from painting to sculpture while pursuing her Master of Arts at San Jose State University.  

Dingus continues to travel the world, visiting the Caribbean, Africa, and South America to gain cultural experience and further inspiration. Describing herself as an environmentalist, feminist, and African American artist, Dingus’ mixed media sculptures reflect these themes. Her work utilizes discarded materials such as old cloth, scrap metal, and leftover packaging to act as a historical metaphor for the victims of the African slave trade. Furthermore, the use of discarded materials emphasizes Dingus’ environmentally conscious mindset. Dingus has received numerous awards, including the John S. Guggenheim Fellowship (1999) and the Morrie and Joan Alhadeff PONCHO Artist of the Year Award (2005), with her work being exhibited extensively throughout the World.