Friday Artfest: Another Carpenter Who Knows What Nails are for by Joe Coleman

Another Carpenter who Knows What Nails are for by Joe Coleman

As I understand this self-portrait by Joe Coleman, it is a representation of the artist's work in his own view of himself. Wrapping about his head like a halo are the various caricatured creatures who have populated Coleman's work over the years. They worry at him and tear at the edges of reality, crossing the line between what is imaginary and what is real. But is his eyes that hold the real meaning in this piece for me. The eye on the right side of the canvas is clear and seems to focus on you, seeing you as you really are; while the left eye is clouded and focusing somewhere higher than the audience. It's as though this eye sees the potential of the world and reveals the artistic majesty that only Joe can see.

Your thoughts?