Melissa Coote's images focus on details of the human body or skeletal remains of other beasts, sometimes fossils, and presents them on a monumental scale. The paintings themselves are built up in successive layers of pigment, Arabic gum, shellac and glue, into which she incorporates a complex variety of organic matter and mineral. Her repetitive treatment of aspects of the body imbues them with a kind of talismanic or ceremonial dimension. Fox Jensen is thrilled to present Melissa Coote's work in her first solo exhibition in New Zealand.




