Artwork copyright Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of Washington State University, 2021.

Artwork copyright Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2021.

Artwork copyright Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of Washington State University, 2021.

Artwork copyright Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2021.

Artwork copyright Paul Vexler. Photo courtesy of Washington State University, 2021.

Ribbon Writing, 2021

Paul Vexler
(American, born 1947, died 2022)

Location: Washington State University - Tri Cities, Richland

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Ribbon Writing by Paul Vexler is comprised of three ribbons of painted aluminum, suspended in the main atrium of the Washington State University Academic Building in Richland, Southeastern Washington. Vexler likens the sculptures to Arabic calligraphy that is so beautiful on its own, even when the literal meaning is not known. The sculpture hints at verbal and visual worlds of meaning that are sometimes read and sometimes simply known. Two of the ribbons (in orange and teal) undulate and zig-zag across the space, while the yellow ribbon is formed like a knot.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State University.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Based in Snohomish, Western Washington, artist Paul Vexler (1947-2022) created sculptures that blend art, math, and science, exploring natural and man-made shapes. He studied physics in college before turning to sculpture and notes, "I like mathematical forms that occur in nature—logarithmic spirals, helices, crystal lattices, polyhedral."

Vexler often uses wood as his main material: "Wood, to me, is a plastic medium. Many artists use wood carving or construction; the evolution of my work is based on an exploration of the ways in which wood can be pushed, pulled, bent, twisted, compressed, stretched, and punctured."