RESIDENT ARTIST :: Rory Coyne

ARTIST STATEMENT
Rory Coyne

"My most recent works are an exploration of portraiture through the use of allegory. The subjects become therianthropic; some animal parts morphing into the body elegantly, while some protrude instead. These zoomorphs are an extension or form of the “self”, a reflection of identity – not to be confused with spirit guides or totems. The meaning behind the symbolic imagery, although personal, can be interpreted in many different ways. Even those whom I have portrayed will inevitably decipher their own portrait differently than I have. Although I have used specific people for each particular painting, my works are undeniably a form of self portraiture. While the sitter informs my painting greatly, the work is an exploration of the daimonic. This is the unrest that exists in us all which forces us into the unknown, leading to self-destruction and/ or self discovery. The paintings recognize and confront my own daimons, which Rollo May refers to as any motive that has the ability to take over a person. The issues that cause a personal struggle are not uncommon: concepts such as self actualization and a struggle to affirm what our anima is are ideas that I believe many people can relate to."

BIOGRAPHY:

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the State University of New York College at Fredonia in 2003. It was at SUNY Fredonia where I began my focus on studying the techniques of classical masters, such as Rembrandt van Rijn and John Singer Sargent. While honing my drawing and painting skills, I was also exposed to teaching, which has since then become a great passion of mine, hand-in-hand with studio art. The year following my graduation from SUNY Fredonia, I began my graduate studies at the University of New Mexico. My course work allowed me to continue developing and exploring my love for both the study of classical figurative technique, and that of teaching the fine arts. Although my own artistic endeavors have always been narrative, it is during these formative years that my work became highly influenced by world mythologies, fables, allegories, and grandiose story telling.

After receiving my Masters of Fine Arts in 2007 from UNM, I moved to Chicago, Illinois, where I now live and continue to develop my professional career - as an artist, a teacher, and an active participant in Project 465.

For information about Rory Coyne's work, please call REpose Gallery: 312-321-1001, or e-mail reposegallery@rivereastartcenter.com