Jennifer Coates Discusses Modernist Influences and Nature in New Paintings

Jennifer Coates has shifted from depicting junk food to nature-focused imagery in her exhibition 'Correspondences' at Freight + Volume, running from March 16 to April 15, 2018, at 97 Allen Street in New York City. She cites Matisse's 'Le Bonheur de Vivre' and early Modernism as key influences, emphasizing color's emotional and meditative roles. Coates, who also teaches Modernism at the New York Academy of Art, draws parallels between her violin playing and painting, noting patterns and emotional intensity in both. Her work explores trees as mystical symbols, merging them with brain imagery to reflect heightened consciousness. The artist plans a two-person show with Caroline Chandler titled 'Electric Mayhem' at Crush Curatorial opening May 25. Coates uses acrylic paint to create layered, collaged spaces, allowing material properties to shape the imagery. She mentions scientific family backgrounds influencing her interest in pigment history and climate change concerns driving her focus on nature. The interview, conducted by Elena Sisto, delves into Coates' transition from food paintings to natural subjects over four years, highlighting her observational drawing process and abstraction techniques.