I became aware of Max Coles paintings serendipitously about 6 years ago in the course of my research and quickly recognised similarities to what i was trying to accomplish in my artworks. She is also working with reduced colour schemes and repetitive mark making in an attempt to construct austere yet rich meditative fields of painted order. Choosing to empty her canvas of overt figuration she opens up the possibilities for a whole new kind of discourse bringing together contemporary approaches to process and content in painting. Her practice picks up where the Abstract Expressionists left off and the Minimalists began in the early sixties. Explanations for the influences informing her sparse poetic surfaces range from religious experience to the geographical sway of the vast midwest American flatlands where she was born.
What i admire is her tenacity in following what is true to her vision. Her art isn't trendy, as far as i know, so her success and recognition fly in the face of current art world fashion. This means simply that people have recognised the integrity in her painting project. She's in it for the long haul, for good or for bad, for rich or for poor because that's what she does.
Minimal abstract painting fell out of the mainstream art world some time ago displaced by photographs, model-making, digital installations and monumental hybridised constructions. It seems though that there is still an appreciation for contemplative painted surfaces skilfully crafted and presented. Like Agnes Martin, a contemporary of hers, Max Cole remains true to the spirit of painting.
There isn't a lot of material available on this under appreciated artist but a good artists monograph can be purchased from Amazon. I've provided a few images of reasonable quality to give you an idea of Max Coles work. I hope you take the time to look at her art more closely. Below is the link to a PDF of an interview with the artist at ps.org should you wish to understand her thinking on a few ideas. http://www.personalstructures.org/index.phppage=404&lang=en&item=443&n=3
What i admire is her tenacity in following what is true to her vision. Her art isn't trendy, as far as i know, so her success and recognition fly in the face of current art world fashion. This means simply that people have recognised the integrity in her painting project. She's in it for the long haul, for good or for bad, for rich or for poor because that's what she does.
Minimal abstract painting fell out of the mainstream art world some time ago displaced by photographs, model-making, digital installations and monumental hybridised constructions. It seems though that there is still an appreciation for contemplative painted surfaces skilfully crafted and presented. Like Agnes Martin, a contemporary of hers, Max Cole remains true to the spirit of painting.
There isn't a lot of material available on this under appreciated artist but a good artists monograph can be purchased from Amazon. I've provided a few images of reasonable quality to give you an idea of Max Coles work. I hope you take the time to look at her art more closely. Below is the link to a PDF of an interview with the artist at ps.org should you wish to understand her thinking on a few ideas. http://www.personalstructures.org/index.phppage=404&lang=en&item=443&n=3
