By Sarah L. Myers
New York, NY, USA
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Joe Coleman is an artist very close to Thirsty’s heart. Ryan Licht Sang, whose philosophy to "Stay Thirsty" is the cornerstone of our Manifesto, introduced me to Joe's work, and we watched his documentary, Rest In Pieces, together many times. Ryan identified with Joe in many ways, but most loved the complexity of his life and work. There were layers, narratives, an underground world beneath the surface of the canvas. Ryan recognized Joe as a “Thirsty” artist, and his work became even more important to me as time went on. I interviewed Joe for Thirsty’s debut issue in September 2006, and two months later, flew to New York for the opening of his exhibit at the Jack Tilton Gallery. It was my first trip to the city. I stayed at the Chelsea, partied with Hank III, went to CBGBs, and planted my foot firmly in a scene that would draw me in permanently three years later. Joe and I remained friends. He and his wife Whitney invited me over to their apartment for an in-depth interview. The Odditorium, as it is known, is just as famous as Joe himself. I was greeted by a wax figure of Charles Manson. Joe allowed me into his painting room where he spends hours working on a few square inches with his jewelers lenses and a two-haired brush. He was working on his new self-portrait. It was to be the size of a doorframe - itself an entrance into another space. Two years later, that painting is finished and debuted last month at the Dickinson Gallery on October 28, 2010.
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