Anne Coe’s painting sparks contemplation of the controversial topic of the management of bears in the national parks. Here, Coe addresses the relationship between humans and bears, especially concerning issues of food consumption, in a lighthearted and playful way.
Coe crosses the boundary between human and bear environments, deliberately “turning the tables” on humankind as she puts the audience in an almost ridiculous situation. Then, she asks those viewers how they would feel if bears came into their homes, ate their food, and took control of their environment. In so doing, she draws attention to the undermining of natural animal habitats.
Through her colorful palette and cartoonish creatures, Coe shows how both species must somehow learn to share the same environment but also to preserve the wilderness. For humans and bears alike, this is critical for future generations of both.
Anne Coe (b. 1949), Out to Lunch, 1990, acrylic on canvas, 45.375 x 65.625 inches. Gift of the artist and D. Harold Byrd, Jr. 2.93.2
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