Amidst a time of social unrest and political and economic uncertainty, Anne-Lise Coste’s work, imbued in raw and unrestrained energy, conform a catalyst for emotional upheaval. To achieve so, Coste strives to thin out the layers between us and the other; there is no need to intellectualise everything and get lost in abstractions, for the world requires clear, honest actions.
Coste’s works possess a strong sense of immediacy that comes from her approach to painting: she usually paints in one shot, unleashing all her energy, ideas, and intuition onto the canvas. The vibrance of airbrushing resonates with the vitality of her work, as well as adding a graffiti-like aesthetic that instantly invigorates the political aspect. On the other hand, Coste is not scared of accident or imperfection; polishing is an act of masquerading the nature of things.
The use of words in her work is sharp, to the point; no metaphor needed. Just like signs in demonstrations, her written works channel rebellion and discomfort, yet the messages are provocative. Coste takes ownership of slurs and curse words and, by hanging them on the wall, does not allow a way-out: we are confronted by their crudeness. On the other hand, angst within her work is often conveyed in a lyrical manner and frequently bathed in a bright palette that reveals a tense synergy between violence and beauty. It is precisely in dualities that Coste’s art finds its power: between gravity and lightness, between impulsiveness and abidance.
Coste is constantly falling in love with the mundane. From a pink plastic bag swirling in the wind, to a handful of branches cut off and let on the side of the road. They are devoid of any layer of intellectuality; they are bare and raw. However, Coste does not seek to elevate them through the artistic; on the contrary, she strives to preserve their authenticity and originate a personal dialogue with them.
“I was a very docile child”. As an adult, Coste is constantly reclaiming the wandering mind of a child and using it to tackle politically and socially convoluted issues. Her round, sweet lettering, reminiscent of children copybooks, conform a duality of tenderness and uneasiness.
When we step into the exhibition space and face Coste’s work, we get the feeling that she has just exited the room, leaving us, in an act of generosity, with her astounding rawness and vulnerability.
