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Gregory Coates is an established artist from NYC who lives and works out of his studio on Washington St. in Allentown. Yes, he lives in Allentown, and has lived here since 2001, but I have never seen his work exhibited here. I find that very strange. I would think a show at the Art Museum would be appropriate, since we have no fine art gallery on Hamilton St. anymore. He transforms found objects like rubber, pvc pipe, wood, rope, and plastic into powerful post-modern sculptures and installations.How Do You Like Me Now? (top) is Coates' take on a billboard in Washington DC which showed Jesse Jackson with a bleach white complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair.
"There is a necessity in the material I use that provokes itself. It's needy. The palette is off the street. The rubber is off the street. It's about the need to create something out of nothing, translate the physical into a separate form. I like freeing myself within the painting format simply by using found materials."- Coates
His blog is called The Unspoken Word in Allentown http://theunspokenwordinallentown.blogspot.com/
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11 comments:
Thanks for the link. It's nice to see the work by local artists - yours and Greg's - on your blog. You're both very talented.
Sarina,
I'd like to feature more artists, so if anyone is interested send me some photos. Since there is not much exposure available here in A-town for local artists, I'd like to do what I can to help.
While I know we're not competing for #1 Top Allentown Artist or anything, I gotta say, I am really impressed by Greg Coates's work and his resume. He's "there" and doing it in the legit art world and he (so far) chooses to live here. In Allentown. A very cool value-added for us and I know Greg's not the only "new native" artist who represents a big plus for our town; I met some others at Mrs. Dottie's House of Chen artist get-together a coupla Fridays ago.
So how come we haven't seen or heard or read about these folks who are doing such acclaimed work via The Lehigh Valley Arts Council, Allentown Art Museum, Arts & Ideas section of The Morning Call, gallery showings, etc., etc. or have we and I just missed it even though I'm always on the lookout for these items?
And what about the Pawlowski administration? They tout "the arts" as being the key to turning around downtown Allentown. Mayor Ed and his people should be on a first-name basis with new native artists like Greg Coates and the many talented native native artists we have in Allentown. Is he? They should also be providing an example for art patrons by owning and displaying art work created by local artists, in their homes and offices in City Hall.
Knowing (from first-hand original music/band experience) that self-promotion is an important part of being an artist, I would imagine that Greg and other new natives to Allentown no doubt put the word out about themselves locally soon after they arrived. I'd be interested in hearing about the reception they received. Are they being embraced, and valued, or ignored, or something in between?
"And what about the Pawlowski administration?"
I completely agree, if the mayor and his admin. is so in touch with the arts like I have heard, then they should display work by locals, and encourage their wealthy supporters to buy local art.
Yep. "Do as we do." Not "do as we say we're gonna do."
Just FYI
Gregory Coates was a featured artist at the Allentown Art Museum's Affordable Art Soiree in 2005. That event has continued annually, featuring a different group of artists and collectors each year, and it has been rebranded as Cocktails & Collecting. The next Cocktails & Collecting event will be held on November 1, 2008. If you'd like more information about the event, just contact me at the Museum.
Shana Herb Johannessen
Marketing and PR Manager
Allentown Art Museum
Shana,
Thanks for the info. I don't remember that event, but I think it would be something our artist group would be interested in. I'll contact you to find out the details. I remember being in a juried show at the Museum in 1988, and was wondering what happened to that annual show for local artists?
I think I recall the mayor's office targeting the old Sal's Spaghetti House on N. 6th St. as an art center, like a Banana Factory or something. But a developer has purchased that building and leveled it to develop a swanky restaurant and jazz club.
I think the city is in the best position to apply for grants to start an arts facility. Hopefully they don't put this on the back burner.
Sarina,
Bring it up at the next artist meeting, I might forget. I read in yesterday's paper that The Trexler Trust gives out thousands to arts orgs like the Art Museum, Baum School. And to Youth org's, etc. They give 5.5 Million a year. We should find out more. A Banana Factory would benefit the community, but I doubt that's gonna happen here.
update on this site
The Artist and Collectors series has changed, but they have never asked me to participate again..
unlike some artist.. whom they have repeat time and time again.. i wont name names.. since they are not the problem.
if the museum wants to make sure artist are collected.. they should put artist in the show
I see the Museum has changed it title.. to cocktails and collecting
they have not sent me any information, or included me as a artist to participate , so i find it strange how they fall short with commitment to the artist.
Whats with the Allentown Museum anyway..
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