Dawn Cerny: Portmeirion
January 25 - June 22, 2025
Seattle artist Dawn Cerny’s abstract sculptures transform a museum gallery into a colorful domestic landscape. Her interactive furniture pieces crafted from humble materials celebrate the theatricality of everyday life, often to humorous effect. The exhibition opens a literal window into the neighboring Frye Salon, where Cerny’s contemporary works mingle among the traditional oil paintings. Archly embracing the tension between real and artificial, Cerny’s work underscores that the original Frye Salon—the in-home gallery of Charles and Emma Frye—was both a private living space and a carefully staged backdrop for public social events.
Dawn Cerny: Portmeirion is organized by Georgia Erger, Curator.
Lead individual support provided by the Hayward-Hughes Family. Additional generous support provided by the Raynier Institute & Foundation and Frye Members.
Dawn Cerny. From left: Spider Web Trashcan I, 2024. Wire, epoxy clay, enamel paint. 16 1/2 x 14 x 13 3/4 in. and Kleenex Side-table for Simone Weil, 2024. Wood, paint, cardboard, Aqua-Resin, epoxy clay, fiberglass, Kleenex. 28 x 30 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dawn Cerny
Dawn Cerny. Humpty Dumpty (Shopping Cart), 2024. Wood, epoxy clay, curtain clips, ink, paper, paint, fiberglass, Aqua-Resin, mat board. 18 ½ x 23 ½ x 4 ½ in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dawn Cerny
Dawn Cerny. Shadow of the Pillar at Noon, 2024. Mat board, fiberglass, Aqua-Resin, paint, paper, graphite, coupons. 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dawn Cerny
Dawn Cerny. Pratique with Rubber bands, 2024. Textile, wood, epoxy clay, paper, watercolor, paint, fiberglass, Aqua-Resin, mat board, rubber bands. 29 x 15 ½ x 4 ½ in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dawn Cerny
Dawn Cerny. The Orange Tree Trick, 2024. Wood, epoxy clay, clips, felt, paint, ink, paper. 18 1/2 x 22 x 3 1/4 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dawn Cerny