Lynn Armstrong Coffin

Artist Statement

I am committed to the environment and the mindful use of our resources which has inspired me to look at my own art and the materials I use. Wanting my work to express this concern I began to explore the use of different mediums, most notably discarded materials. Things once destined for the landfill such as cardboard, wall paste, cylotex or burlap became new artistic mediums still possessing great potential. Through much experimentation I have found unexpected ways to transform simple raw materials into truly unique and refined artworks and be true to my environmental views.
I draw upon my background in Graphic Design, Illustration and Architecture to give each individual piece structure, form and presence while exhibiting the qualities of Contemporary Minimalism. My recent works embrace the elegance and strength of metal using simple castoff building materials. Through the application of layers of different medium and the working of the surface, the artworks that emerge are tactile and rich in texture. They embrace the organic beauty and patina of an aging surface that has been revealed through time and wear. Each piece becomes a dialogue between permanence and the transformational beauty of decay and utilizes the potential of discarded materials. I hope they inspire the viewer to reflect on the value of what we discard and believe in the possibility of renewal.