Episode 32 features an unforgettable conversation with acclaimed New York-based sculptor and installation artist Petah Coyne. Known for her intricate, large-scale works crafted from an extraordinary range of materials – from dead fish and shredded trailers to wax, taxidermy, and black sand. Coyne’s career spans decades and her works are in major museum collections, including MoMA, the Whitney, the Met, and the Guggenheim. In this candid, in-depth interview, she shares not only her creative evolution and technical processes but also the personal stories, risks, and moments of doubt behind her monumental career.Key takeaways from this interview include:• The wild true story of how 5,000 dead fish played a role in launching her art career.• How Petah developed her own patented wax formula and the extreme logistics behind shipping large-scale works across the world.• A behind-the-scenes account of her first major institutional installation and the unexpected accident that helped get it reviewed by The New York Times.• Her perspective on rejection, persistence, and why she applied for grants every year for a decade before getting one.• Thoughtful reflections on time, mortality, and the pressure artists feel to keep creating.From poetic anecdotes to hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a successful and deeply generous artist whose work, like great literature, lingers long after the first encounter.03:52 The Dead Fish Prank07:36 Early Life and Artistic Beginnings14:40 How To Avoid School16:00 Moving to New York22:22 First Big Break and Installation Art41:34 The Importance of Archival Quality46:22 Finding and Working with Assistants48:53 Fragility and Tactility of Artworks51:09 The Stolen Sculpture Incident54:36 Selling Large Sculptures to Collectors01:07:04 Navigating the Art World01:09:52 The Importance of Feedback01:24:56 Funding Art Projects01:31:01 Experimenting with New Mediums01:37:43 Final Thoughts and Advice To ArtistsPetah Coyne is based in New York and is represented by Galerie Lelong & Co., New York: https://galerielelong.com/artists/11-petah-coyne/ and Nunu Fine Art, Taiwan: https://www.nunufineart.com/petah-coyneYou can find out more about her work on her website: https://www.petahcoyne.org/And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petahcoyneAlso mentioned in this episode:The Jealous Curator: https://thejealouscurator.substack.com/about | https://www.instagram.com/thejealouscurator/ Art For Your Ear Podcast, interview with Petah Coyne: https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2020/11/20/just-be-wonderful/ Herron School of Art and Design: https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu/ Art Academy of Cincinnati: https://www.artacademy.edu/ |
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