Eileen Cooper
This a plug for the art of Eileen Cooper whose work I have loved ever since I first saw it in 1980.
Below is what I wrote to Eileen about her latest work.
I must admit to feeling of discomfort when looking at these new works as things seem to be in flux in a lot of them. The ‘dwelling’ is being swallowed by the foliage and the figure is hunched as if she is trying covet what is going on below. Everything in the picture appears unbalanced as if teetering on the edge. Likewise, in ‘Desire’, unlike the introduction, I don’t see the women as being in bliss but as someone who is being pushed by the aggressive tiger in the panel which seems more alive than the woman. And who is the woman hiding behind the panel, why is she hiding? She seems to be threat otherwise why is she hiding?
I am loving looking at these works and trying to divine my feelings as to regard to them. They are not quiet in least or serene despite the theme of dreams, in fact they give me a feeling of nervousness and being unsettled, of past memories and fears for the future. I suspect I am reflecting a lot of the anxiety I am feeling in my life at the moment, so next year I will see something totally different.
If you look at the site, its a bit of awkward site to navigate as you have to hit the back button to view each picture as a larger image but its worth it.
Other news of note: I have been accepted on to the docent program at the Blanton Museum of Art, starting in the fall. At last some structure in my life!
Tags: art first, Blanton Museum of Art, docent, eileen cooper
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
July 5, 2009 at 3:22 am
As you have probably read on my blog Eileens work was really important to me as a very young art art student.
For me it is her abillity to evoke a myriad of subtle but universal emotions whilst letting the viewer get on with the business of enjoying looking at her pictures.
she seems comfortable in her artistic skin and I have to say when I have been lucky enough to spend time with her she has intrigued me in the same way as her pictures.
dean