Description:

Jerry W. Coker (American, b. 1938). "Mr. Gordly (Auction House Clerk)" and Untitled. Mixed media: roofing tin and wood masks, n.d. Both signed on verso; "Mr. Gordly" also titled. Jerry Coker's compelling "Identity Masks," fashioned from salvaged roofing tin, present weathered visages that evoke the faces of his rural Arkansas childhood. One mask, titled "Mr. Gordly (Auction Clerk)" on its reverse, where a whimsical pencil drawing depicts two figures under starry, giant blooms, offers a glimpse into a specific remembered individual. The other mask, its back revealing a tender sketch of a mule or pig grazing beneath a tree, speaks to Coker's deep connection to the pastoral landscapes of his youth. Together, the rusted fronts bear silent witness to the past, while their verso drawings provide intimate narratives and context, transforming these repurposed objects into evocative portraits imbued with personal history and the enduring spirit of Coker's folk art sensibility. Size of larger (Untitled): 11" W x 15.1" H (27.9 cm x 38.4 cm)

About the artist: "Jerry Coker was born in Arkansas, but has resided in Florida for most of his life. His collection "Identity Masks" of masks made with rusted roofing tin are modeled after people from his rural childhood who were patrons of his parent's furniture store. His rural background largely influenced his artistic style and he considers himself a "Renaissance Man" with a specialization in folk art. His art is featured in many important collections across the United States, including the Microsoft Corporation collection." (source: artist's page on the Cummer Museum shop website)

Provenance: private Rochester, Minnesota, USA collection, acquired from 1990 -1998

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#193008

  • Condition: Both signed on verso; "Mr. Gordly" also titled. Masks are in excellent overall condition with patina and age wear consistent with the artist's process. Each has a suspension wire on verso for display.

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June 5, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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