BEFORE THE HANG “SURFACE BOUND”

Q: What famous artwork blew your mind when finally seen in person?

Joy - Seeing Snowflakes by Henri Matisse was a defining moment—being able to see the physicality of the work, even down to a visible thumbprint, changed how I understood scale and touch. Similarly, experiencing the work of Ellsworth Kelly in person reinforced how much scale shapes perception. What reads one way in a book becomes something entirely different when you’re physically in front of it. Manda Faye - At the top of the list is Edgar Degas's original wax sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen... Marie van Goethem’s spirit is so alive in that vitrine… Also, completely mind blowing for me — Agnes Martin’s, The Rose and Cornelia Parker’s, Thirty Pieces of Silver. (Although the lore around The Rose — “is the rose still a rose?” — irritates me a touch) Both pieces seem to have had a force field around them. I love when art makes you want to stay.

Location Gallery
May 8
5 min read

Surface Bound has been an organic process that sparked when sisters Joy Dunigan and Manda Faye Dunigan artworks were hanging next to each other in our November 2025 show. Although the work was distinctive to each artist, their shared graphic eye and crisp technique had a similar approach. Joy’s new method of layered print and informed construction of the natural world counterpointed and complimented Manda Faye’s perfect cyanotype process of light, chemistry and time.

The working title was called “Surfacing” to relate to their processes and to avoid any lunar references as our partner non-profit is Over the Moon Diaper Bank, an incredible organization that helps women and mothers in need. Yes, there were many conversations with this pair of marketing mavens that landed with “Surface Bound”.

10 QUESTIONS

With Joy Dunigan and Manda Faye Dunigan

In one word, what is your present state of mind?

Joy - Evolving.

Manda Faye - Clear.

Were there any challenges or new techniques used when creating this work?

Joy - Every new body of work presents an opportunity to explore and refine process. With this series, the focus moved further into the relationship between surface treatments—matte, gloss, and painted applications—and how those finishes interact with the underlying photographic imagery. I’m constantly interested in how these material decisions can either reinforce or disrupt the subject matter. It’s definitely still evolving, but it’s been a great exercise in understanding and accepting that figuring out what doesn’t work, is just as important as figuring out what does work.

Manda Faye - I decided to involve digital processes in my work on this project in a way that I haven’t before. Previously in my work, I have been sparing in my use of digital tools because I love that the analog process of cyanotype unfolds in a really organic and fluid way. Cyanotype just comes with more variables. The end result almost always defies my expectations and working with my hands is so good. With Surface Bound I decided to explore digital collage. In my mind, the themes of the work tended to lend themselves to moving in that direction. The computer has totally different controls. It was interesting relying on a machine to create images and I was revisiting skills that I have not flexed in a good minute. But, cyanotype and photography are technology too, so I thought a lot about how I was splicing them together and I sort of loved that later technology can be in harmony with newer technology and it feels open and playful.

How many UFOs have you seen?

Joy - I’ve never seen a UFO. That said, I do believe it’s unlikely we’re alone. The scale of what exists beyond us suggests there’s more out there—whether we understand it yet or not.

Manda Faye - All objects that I have seen flying can be identified.

Aside from art, what were your favorite school subjects in school?

Joy - Music, English, and history. Each offered a different way of understanding structure, narrative, and rhythm—elements that continue to influence how I think about visual work today.

Manda Faye - Literature, history, music, biology and socializing — no surprises there.

Name 3 people, living or dead, that inspire you the most.

Joy - I tend to be more inspired by what people produce than by the individuals themselves. That said, Andy Warhol stands out for his approach and the way he redefined how art could engage with culture. Beyond that, I draw a lot of inspiration from NASA and space exploration, as well as from fashion and music—fields that constantly push material, form, and perception in new directions.

Manda Faye - I can’t really narrow that down to three people — my friends are what inspire me at the end of the day. I’m very fortunate to have so many interesting friends.

What is your favorite snack food?

Joy - I try not to snack.

Manda Faye - Cake, pastry, chocolate with good coffee.

What 2 colors have you put together that resulted in an unexpectedly amazing color combination?

Joy - Metallics paired with orange - particularly silver and orange, or gold and orange. There’s something about that contrast that feels both industrial and organic at the same time.

Manda Faye - A shade of purple and a shade of brown. It doesn’t sound like that would be unexpected, but purple, is always a strong and challenging color to pair with other colors.

What do you listen to when creating artwork?

Joy - A wide range - electronic, classical, alternative, and jazz. Music that leans abstract tends to support the process best.

Manda Faye – The music that I listen to varies pretty wildly and my playlists don’t really reflect one kind of groove. Listening to music is a very passionate and soothing thing for me — I just crank it up and feel it. If I do start to feel chaos creeping in, I want silence. Sometimes there is nothing better than hearing the HVAC tick on and off.

What famous artwork blew your mind when finally seen in person?

Joy - Seeing Snowflakes by Henri Matisse was a defining moment—being able to see the physicality of the work, even down to a visible thumbprint, changed how I understood scale and touch. Similarly, experiencing the work of Ellsworth Kelly in person reinforced how much scale shapes perception. What reads one way in a book becomes something entirely different when you’re physically in front of it.

Manda Faye - At the top of the list is Edgar Degas's original wax sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen... Marie van Goethem’s spirit is so alive in that vitrine… Also, completely mind blowing for me — Agnes Martin’s, The Rose and Cornelia Parker’s, Thirty Pieces of Silver. (Although the lore around The Rose — “is the rose still a rose?” — irritates me a touch) Both pieces seem to have had a force field around them. I love when art makes you want to stay.

What is the most important trait for an artist to have?

Joy – Patience.

Manda Faye - Definitely being a problem solver.

STAFF PICKS

MIND ITEMS

We knew going into the campaign of Art Family Values that there would be lots of curious conversations both visually and physically. Especially with siblings because…sidebar chats. Having years of training with a spousal Irish-American family, you realize they never talk directly to a sibling about problems, but rather they tell all the other siblings or a brother from another mother. The best advice I give my fellow in-laws is “Just pretend you are watching television” and let it unfold and then fold back to a lovingly tribal unit.