Art that is Personal, Political, and Queer
At Artswest, in conjunction with the “truly amazing” production of Born with Teeth, is a truly amazing art exhibit by Scott Coffey, a painter printmaker, graphic designer and collage Artist from Seattle.
Although a highly verbal play, Born with Teeth, nevertheless conjures up some very visually grizzly images of torture, beheadings and severed heads on spikes. Coffey’s paintings, displayed in the lobby, are equally grizzly .
As an artist Coffey attempts to combine images that are “personal, political, and queer”
Which reflects the themes of Born with Teeth, the political became very personal and sexuality became very political.
The paintings are incredibly colorful because the artist is “fascinated with the visual power and strong emotions that pigments provide”
Equally fascinating is the technique used in many of his paintings; for example to create solid images, he often uses dots or other small images, like the French Post-Impressionist Georges Seurat. It creates intricate color schemes and textures.
Coffey’s art was extremely interesting and fascinating as was the play Born with Teeth. The pre-show and intermission atmosphere is congenial and hospitable.
Scott Coffey, Artswest, in Conjunction with Born with Teeth. 4711 California Ave, SW, 98116 (West Seattle) Til Feb 25.
To see more of Coffey’s art see