Von Coffin

About Von

Von Coffin (b. 1983) lives in Redmond, Washington with their wife and two young children. Coffin received their MFA in Painting and Printmaking from Yale University (2016) and BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2008). They run Coffin Farm, an experimental sculpture park on their family's farm.

Coffin's technique in both painting and sculpture builds up layers of transparent paint to create depth and affect. Their work combines lived experiences working in food service and fabrication with studies in painting: both Formalists at the University of Washington and Imagists at the Art Institute of Chicago. They are interested in analogous materials found in food and construction such as insulation foam and bread. Colors work as both symbol and signifier, triggering nostalgia through specific imitations of candy and other material.

Pronouns

they/them/theirs

Qualifications

MFA in Painting and Printmaking, 2016
Yale University

BFA, 2008
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Painting studies, 2002 to 2004
University of Washington