By Christian Perry
Finally, for Tony Coates, there is something to look forward to during these strange times. What’s certain for him is the completion of his senior year, acquiring a Bachelor’s of Arts degree, at Valdosta State University. The artist, from Gwinnett county, Ga, is featured in Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery exhibition, “In Bold”, along with the rest of his senior class.
Visiting the artist in the studio was something to look forward to because of our similar preference of mediums to work with. Despite not being able to see Tony Coates in person, an audio meeting with the artist unveiled his humble personality and integrity. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is putting the world under stress, Coates trusts that this is part of something bigger for his future. This faith is something he picked up throughout his college career at Valdosta State University. From each path he followed, whether if it was successful or a dead end, he learned that it all leads to where he is meant to be in life.
In the beginning of our conversation, we were able to spend a few minutes sharing how we felt during this crisis. During this once in a century event, we established that this is indeed a time of uncertainty, but not a time to stop in our tracks. Coates insists that there are no complete stops in life. Life continues and goals still exist in the forefront of his ambitions. After graduation, Coates will focus on commercial graphic design as a career. A number of works in his gallery consist of designs that cater to businesses seeking to attract customers. He displays his ability to create designs for websites, brochures, restaurant menus, and many more. By building up the composition with simple shapes, his work engages with the viewers.
Aside from commercial works, Coates’ expressive art narrates his journeys as they are happening. The nature of this world, an unpredictable one, is what inspires Coates. Again, with the use of simple shapes, he builds up his compositions to create both simple and intricate works. His gallery is diverse in this way. The main medium of choices are printmaking and graphic design because of the similarities they share in the process of creating with shapes. The inspirations that feed the content of his works come from his personal life. Journeys and the outcomes of them are the themes of his artworks. Art is essentially a window for his viewers to see into his life. He is honest with his content, and it helps to reflect on the past.
The artwork, “Self-reflection”, is an example of how he uses art to look into his own past. At the time of creating “Self-reflection”, a multi-colored linocut print, Coates was in a state of brokenness. Constantly, as he kept looking at his own reflection, he would try to find his purpose and piece himself back together. During this dark time, he was able to evaluate his condition in life clearly through the process of creating this artwork. In his future works, his life stories would be recorded onto his prints.
“Overdose” reflected some of the events he had witnessed during his college career. By surrounding himself around people who were into the college party life, he was able to witness the negative effects in their lives. This was not so much of a self-portrait of his life, but “Overdose” is truly a caution for the dangers involved in this lifestyle. The skulls and the text “death” in the print expose real outcomes from overdosing. This was a correlation to the death of one of his favorite rappers, Juice Wrld. Because of the tragedy of losing one of his inspirations, he wanted to shed light onto the life that this lifestyle could trap you in.
“Choices & Paths”, a screen print, is based off of a childhood paper fortune teller game. When this print is folded into the origami fortune teller, the person who is choosing the paths is looking at the outer layers of the prints. Each time the different paths are uncovered, you see the same colors with the different paths. Coates intends the different arrows to represent the choices that we make in life. As each choice is picked, you unfold the paths you are left with. The X’s and the circles at the end of the arrows represent success and failures. Still, no matter what outcome you are left with from your choice, you continue to unfold. Coates says, “Whatever life throws at you, if it is the right or wrong choice, a new opportunity is granted.” As the entire print is unfolded, the viewer focuses only on the straight arrows that guide you to the center of the blank space. The negative space is the destination we were meant to be at during the end of the chapter. This piece applies to his viewers, as we all have to choose the paths we take in life. In the end, we continue to move as life continues.
Coates came to realize that he will get to where he was destined to be by trusting in the process of choosing his paths in life. He allows these particular paths to run its course. After all the seemingly negative experiences that Coates had, he feels confident and secure in where he is now. His college journey led to this growth in his personal and artistic life. As he steps into a new chapter, he will continue to make art to share his journey.
Christian Perry, currently a senior at Valdosta State University, is pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree. He intends to become a graphic designer after graduating.