Through broad applications of textural paint, Coffey
captures the essence of these animals in a procession of colors displaying
sunset oranges, flamingo pinks and royal purples. Brave brush strokes create
the lines of the giraffe’s mouth, an irregular set of circles on the cheetah or
a curve of an elephant’s tusk. With each touch of paint, Coffey deftly sculpts
these creatures on paper, using recollections from her travel sketchbooks.
In Elephants on
Parade, a quartet of these mammals walks gently and proudly through a
color-blocked background. In Three
Giraffes on Purple,these tall
beasts, covered in turquoise and orange spots, stretch their necks from the
corner of the picture through a deep lavender haze to gaze at an invisible
world surrounding them. Coffey creates a skillful swirl of wings for the
feathered birds of Five Flamingos.
The majority of Coffey’s animals exist in intense
color. This recalls the approach of the Fauves, French for “wild beasts,” whose
liberal experiments with different techniques at the beginning of the 1900s
appear to have served as inspiration for Coffey. Yet several of the creatures
inhabit more muted landscapes. When viewers stare into the dignified face of Bibi Cheetah, angularly defined as a
large feline with purple spots and periwinkle eyes on brilliant colored paper,
they sense the artist’s appreciation for wildlife. Coffey’s images might even
be more captivating to viewers than seeing the actual animals confined in zoos.
In her paintings, the animals can enjoy unfettered space and retain their regal
countenances.
Coffey’s current collection at the gallery differs
from the original exhibit that opened on June 6, as several of her paintings
have been sold. Folliard replaced the purchases with fresh compositions from
this prolific artist to enhance the exhibition. While the show is slated to end
on July 5, one hopes that Coffey, still immensely capable and young at heart,
resumes her yearly sojourns and returns to
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