I’m probably not new to this conversation, but I couldn’t find any documented writing about it, so I’m going to take a stab at it. Okay. So, what the hell is the deal with the artist Cody Cochrane? I don’t know much about her, or her artistic situation, but it looks to me like she is majorly style biting Richard Colman. That scene from Ace Ventura is going off in my head, “Finkle and Einhorn, Einhorn and Finkle, Finkle is Einhorn, Einhorn is Finkle. Oh my God. Einhorn is a man!”
It’s so similar that I’m suspect that it’s actually real; like Richard is slipping her drawings behind our backs and they are trying to pull off some grand art experiment in order to expose how ridiculous the art market is. Oh, how I wish that was true! That being said, there are always similarities from artist to artist within any given subgenre or geographical region, etc. It’s easy to see connections of theme, style, content and subject matter between various artists, but it’s usually evidence of a particular micro movement within the art world; many voices within a great choir of singers. However, in this incident, it seems more like lip syncing than finding one’s own voice.
The imagery is too similar. Same stylings on tree, leaves, animals, hair on girls, little private parts, and breast shape. The thing that really gets me going is that she states in an interview that Richard Colman is an artist “[you should] check out.” HERE. It’s a dilemma. Even John Trippe, of Fecal Face, noticed the similarities on a recent blog post, and few of commentators made mention of it as well. Jay Howell and Ferris Plock just got back from SXSW where they worked on a mural with Cody Cochrane; and from the looks of it, they seemed to have had a great time and are really diggin’ her work.
So, what’s the deal? Where do we go from here? Part of me wants to be diplomatic and gracious, and the other part wants to say, What the Fuck are you doing? I have a hard time seeing how a curator could show Cochrane’s work without feeling really uneasy about the whole situation. It’s a sad state of the game when this kind of blatant copy cat action is going on and people are still buying into it. Is there any other industry where this would be allowed?
Anyways, just wanted to get the conversation going, documented in cyberspace and all that….
UPDATE 4/23: In case you miss it, Cody took the time to respond to this post in the comments section below:
“I guess i should probably chime in here, as there seems to be some level of controversy as to whether or not my work is a direct reflection of artists such as Colman/ Hayuk. Perhaps I can help in De-mystifying things a little…
Firstly, just wanted to say that i totally dig Eric’s stance on this situation, and appreciate that he’s trying to bring these concerns to light in a thoughtful and reasonably respectful manner. This dialogue is sooooo very important, and I don’t mind being called into question whatsoever, if it means that this dialogue remains open and honest. Having said that, I think I’m fairly transparent about my influences, and I think Colman is rad. There are certainly some fairly obvious references within some of my stuff, and there are also many dissimilarities. I think this can be said about almost every artist I can think of, so I don’t think that this is a unique quandary in any way.
I’m primarily a selfish artist, who doesn’t take herself too seriously, and at the end of the day I do what I do for me, and I can’t apologize for this. Historically, I think the issue of influence/appropriation will always be something challenging in art/music/literature, even in the most unique and creative people (Dzama vs. Darger, for example) and its totally valid to want to keep these people in check.
I do always welcome the challenge to step up my game though, so I do thank you for that. And I actually really dig this site. Maybe next time I will make it into the ‘Things that don’t piss you off too much’ section.
c.”
Thanks Cody.
24 Comments
April 10, 2009 at 12:01 pm
hear hear! i caught the show she was part of at 111 Minna and quite frankly it’s embarrassing. and there was me thinking art was about expressing YOURSELF…
And it’s not just Colman she’s ripping off:
Compare this poster from her website:
to this painting by a certain Maya Hayuk, another one of her “artists to check out”:
has the girl got no integrity whatsoever?!
April 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm
hear hear! i caught the show she was part of at 111 Minna and quite frankly it’s embarrassing. and there was me thinking art was about expressing YOURSELF…
And it’s not just Colman she’s ripping off:
Compare this poster from her website:
http://www.codycochrane.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/print-making/ARABSTRAP.jpg
to this painting by a certain Maya Hayuk, another one of her “artists to check out”:
http://mayahayuk.com/greeners.html
has the girl got no integrity whatsoever?!
April 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Right on, Lesley!
I noticed the similarities to Hayuk’s work as well.
So bizarre!
April 16, 2009 at 9:19 am
Mastered technical skill and graphics training are evident in her work and most likely account for the similiarities in style. Symbolism is universal and not “owned” by any single artist. To dismiss her evident accomplishments and expertise with a few coarse words requires a little deeper soul searching before putting words to print.
April 16, 2009 at 9:47 am
Obvious dedication and passion are evident with a moving landscape of color and imagination. If this is a display of one without vision and originality then all should put down their (swords) brushes and let what already exists dictate what we should see for an eternity. I am, for, one thrilled to witness yet another brilliant vision and will continue to watch this wonderful artist grow and find shape in all things magical and mystical.
April 16, 2009 at 10:37 am
Emma, thanks for your comment.
I agree with you regarding symbolism, it is indeed universal and not owned by any single artist. My intent here is to call attention to the similarities in the use of said symbolism between Cochrane and Coleman. Had I been acquainted with Cochrane’s work first, I most definitely would have been calling Coleman’s work into question.
And I agree with you, the “coarse words” are not necessary. In the future I’ll try and be more diplomatic “before I put words to print”. My intent is not malicious, I merely wanted to get the conversation going; I would say the same thing if I was sitting with her in a critique session.
Truly, thanks for contributing to the conversation
April 16, 2009 at 10:58 am
Kate, thanks for your comment.
To be sure, I agree with you, “dedication and passion” are always evident “with a moving landscape of color and imagination”. What I am calling into question, though, is the imagination, vision, and originality of Cochrane’s work. Obviously, she has skill, and has won the attention of some great galleries and artists – but that’s not what I have a problem with.
Again, as I stated in my comment to Emma, and in the original post, I simply want to get the conversation going.
There is a huge lack of critical discourse taking place in the art scene that Cochrane and Coleman fall in to. Publications, online or in print, seem to exist merely to sell more magazines or get more hits online. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fecal Face, but the vast majority of posts and info simply serve as advertisement for artists. It’s not a bad thing at all, it just leaves out a very important dynamic in the art world – Critique! But if Fecal Face and Juxtapoz started printing critiques all the time we would probably be very bored with it all…
Anyways, I am definitely interested to see how Cochrane’s work develops and grows – and I would hope that this conversation only spurs her on to do so.
Thanks again Kate
April 18, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Interesting read on a touchy subject. Personally I do see some similarities between the 2 artists but also really enjoy Cody’s work (as I do Richard’s).
I’m sure as a young artist she is definitely influenced by artists she admires and is settling in to her own style. Life is a highway. I think the critique was harsh, but worth discussing.
“Is there any other industry where this would be allowed?”
What came first Coke or Pepsi? ;)
April 18, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I guess i should probably chime in here, as there seems to be some level of controversy as to whether or not my work is a direct reflection of artists such as Colman/ Hayuk. Perhaps I can help in De-mystifying things a little…
Firstly, just wanted to say that i totally dig Eric’s stance on this situation, and appreciate that he’s trying to bring these concerns to light in a thoughtful and reasonably respectful manner. This dialogue is sooooo very important, and I don’t mind being called into question whatsoever, if it means that this dialogue remains open and honest. Having said that, I think I’m fairly transparent about my influences, and I think Colman is rad. There are certainly some fairly obvious references within some of my stuff, and there are also many dissimilarities. I think this can be said about almost every artist I can think of, so I don’t think that this is a unique quandary in any way.
I’m primarily a selfish artist, who doesn’t take herself too seriously, and at the end of the day I do what I do for me, and I can’t apologize for this. Historically, I think the issue of influence/appropriation will always be something challenging in art/music/literature, even in the most unique and creative people (Dzama vs. Darger, for example) and its totally valid to want to keep these people in check.
I do always welcome the challenge to step up my game though, so I do thank you for that. And I actually really dig this site. Maybe next time I will make it into the ‘Things that don’t piss you off too much’ section.
c.
April 20, 2009 at 11:48 am
Cody, Thanks for chiming in. Much appreciated. I wrote a follow up post – http://etrine.com/2009/04/20/art-critique-cody-cochrane-the-digital-age/
I can totally relate to what you said about being a “primarily selfish artist…doesn’t taker herself to seriously” At the end of the day, that’s pretty much all I have to go on – that is, I make stuff because I like making stuff and I make it that way because I like how it looks.
Truly appreciate your honesty and transparency, and your graciousness in your response.
See ya around, the interweb.
E.
April 21, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I am interested to see the dialogue that has opened up on this subject. I did not intend my comments to call into question the artist’s technical ability, and indeed I believe her work shows her to be a very competent artist. My problem is, as Eric mentions above, the originality of her work. I did go to the gallery and saw her work as a tangible piece of art, hanging in front of me (as I have also done with Colman in the past), and it was, for me, a profoundly uncomfortable experience, which was compounded by further inspection of her work on the internet. Of course similar dialogues have taken place regarding countless other artists. No-one is expecting artists not to be influenced by other artists, and no-one is suggesting symbolism is owned by any particular artist, but there are also no limits on an artist’s ability to render these symbols in their own personal way. What I see in Cochrane’s work, beyond the overwhelming similarity in subject matter, style and composition at first glance, is a deliberate borrowing of more minor details – idiosyncrasies – which are what made Colman’s work interesting, what made it his own. It is this which does not sit well with me, regardless of the stage an artist is at in their career and whether they are still finding their own style. However this is merely my opinion, and I hope others will continue to offer theirs…
April 21, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Well said, Lesley.
April 23, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Fuck you for casually dropping my name in your little fucking web blog rant… Get your fucking facts right before you start making sweeping remarks about me. You fucking piece of shit, come meet me and have a conversation about it instead being a passive aggressive cunt and assuming something about ME. Have we ever met? Have you ever taken the time to just email me and ask? No, so leave me out of it.
Ahhh…much better…
That being said:
Yes, I think she is totally ripping off richard colman’s work and I think it needs to stop. No, at the time I did not know she was totally ripping off colman’s work. Some friends had told me about her work but, I didn’t know till after I had worked with her how incredibly bad she was biting his work.. While I worked with Cody. she was nice, generous, funny, prompt, and intelligent. I hope she has learned from her mistake.
April 23, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Ferris,
I am assuming that you have extended the same consideration to Cody as you are asking for yourself. Perhaps you have emailed her before sending this message to discuss it with her or called her on the phone. This is after all quite sharp much more so than the mention of your name in an article that she has already defended. Where does this anger REALLY come from? Surely this isn’t about art anymore.
April 23, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Thanks for chiming in Ferris.
Please excuse any misuse of your name.
I honestly didn’t think it would be that big of a deal.
As I’d said before, I didn’t think this post would attract this much attention.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my little fucking web blog rant…
April 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Good point, kate.
May 4, 2009 at 8:39 pm
whoa, this ferris guy seems like a total douche and the picture on his website confirms my suspicions. it’s strange for one to be so angered about the mention of their name on a blog when they provide such personal details of their life on their very own website. perhaps it is not unwarranted for one to imply they KNOW you when they can read all about how you frolicked about with your brothers whilst being read elaborate fantastical tales from your sweet school marm momma. we could also take a peek at the fairly intimate photo essay of you creating a mural with the artist in question…the lobster and witty hipster remarks are almost palpable.
May 8, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I talked to Ferris, he recanted. No worries…
May 4, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Wait… This:
“Fuck you for casually dropping my name in your little fucking web blog rant… Get your fucking facts right before you start making sweeping remarks about me. You fucking piece of shit, come meet me and have a conversation about it instead being a passive aggressive cunt and assuming something about ME. Have we ever met? Have you ever taken the time to just email me and ask? No, so leave me out of it.”
… is a response to this:
“Jay Howell and Ferris Plock just got back from SXSW where they worked on a mural with Cody Cochrane; and from the looks of it, they seemed to have had a great time and are really diggin’ her work.”
Ferrris… you sir, are a fucking asshole.
May 8, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I talked to Ferris, he recanted. No need to make this thing bigger than it needs to be…
Thanks for chiming in.
May 29, 2009 at 1:19 pm
If you think Cody is bad check this shit out. Merry Karnowsky is clearly out of her mind to think that no one would notice. She and KP should both be ashamed.
http://mkgallery.com/preview/killpixie/
May 29, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I see where you’re coming from, but I’ll have to disagree on that point. When I see Kill Pixie’s work I don’t automatically think of Richard Colman. Sure, there are some similarities, but I think it points more to what I mentioned in the original post – that is, “similarities from artist to artist within any given subgenre.” And for that reason, it makes sense that Merry Karnowsky would represent Kill Pixie along with Richard Colman, because they represent a particular stylization in composition, materials, subject matter and content.
It just goes to show, that, as I’ve said before, there needs to be a greater presence of critical discourse within these movements.
Thanks for your comment, Milt.
January 24, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Thank g someone finally called this bitch out. Life is a highway, Cody, and you need to ride it back to art school (all night long de dee nuh nee nee ne ne de dee nuh).
May 3, 2010 at 8:38 pm
What I don’t understand about all of this debate is why no one makes mention of the appropriation of aboriginal imagery. It’s interesting that there is such a determined focus on Cochrane’s references to Colman, but not on her use of aboriginal tropes. Cochrane depicts totem poles as phalluses in her work, along with a whole range of First Nations characters central to her latest work (as seen on the internet). Her last exhibit in Toronto was called “Our Forgotten Ancestors.” From Colman’s artwork displayed on the web, it seems these aboriginal characters are present, but not central. Does anyone know if Cochrane is of Native Ancestry? (Maybe you can fill us in Cody, if you’re reading this).