Illuminated Artwork – Ryan! Feddersen’s Antecedents
Spanlite collaborated with artist Ryan! Feddersen to produce Antecedents, a large-scale illuminated artwork installation for the Population Health Building at the University of Washington in Seattle. Comprising five backlit glass artworks, the installation combines striking imagery with integrated lighting to create a distinctive visual feature within the public space.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission, Antecedents draws on both scientific imagery and Indigenous storytelling traditions to explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The five artworks reference the animals, plants and ecosystems that sustain human life. Meanwhile, imagery inspired by the visual language of medical radiography provides a contemporary visual framework for the installation.
Working closely with the artist, Spanlite transformed the original artwork into large-format illuminated displays. To achieve this, we produced a series of samples for approval before manufacture commenced. This ensured the finished pieces accurately reflected the detail, contrast and tonal quality of the original designs.
The final units were manufactured in the UK and shipped to Seattle for installation. In addition, Spanlite provided installation guidance to support the correct handling, fixing and positioning of the finished pieces on site.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Each panel was produced using laminated Stratum Image Glass , with dye-sublimated image film incorporated into the glass construction.
The glass specification used 6+6+1.5mm low-iron tempered glass to support image clarity, durability and backlighting performance. In addition, the low-iron construction helps preserve the colour and detail of the artwork when illuminated.
The glass panels were housed within wall-mounted Stratum Integra lightbox with brushed 304 stainless steel frames. Furthermore, the robust frame construction provides long-term durability for a public environment.
Behind each artwork, Spanlite integrated LED Light Sheet to deliver even illumination across the full image area. As a result, the large-format panels benefit from consistent backlighting, helping to preserve the detail and tonal quality of the artist’s work.
Spanlite manufactured the completed units in the UK before shipping them to the United States. Therefore, the project required careful coordination across artwork sampling, glass production, lighting integration and export packaging.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• Five wall-mounted illuminated artwork units
• Laminated Stratum Image Glass with dye-sublimated image film
• 6+6+1.5mm low iron tempered glass specification
• Brushed 304 stainless steel Stratum Integra frames
• LED Light Sheet for even backlighting across large format
• Small approval samples produced for approval
• UK manufacture and supply with installation guidance
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