Sue Coe
The Tail That Wagged the Dog, 1990
(N.p.): Murray
One of 60 copies, signed by Coe.
854
Octavo. (14)ff., loose. A distressing and confrontational collection, Coe's suite of engravings demands attention to the ways in which humans mistreat dogs, how they conceive of dogs as perpetrators when,...
Octavo. (14)ff., loose. A distressing and confrontational collection, Coe's suite of engravings demands attention to the ways in which humans mistreat dogs, how they conceive of dogs as perpetrators when, in fact, they are abused and their innate loyalty manipulated. A "Patient Dog" sits by his inebriated owner, an "Unwanted Dog" is prepared for death by electrocution, a "K9 Attack Dog (Chained for 7 years)" gnashes his teeth at an escaping silhouette. Among these, Coe intersperses scenes of compassion and companionship, dogs who reside with dutiful, but homeless, masters. Here the reality has shifted from willful animal abuse to systemic neglect of the innocent, particularly due to the ever-increasing housing crisis. The portfolio thus asks: If we wouldn't inflict such indignities on our dogs, why treat our fellow humans that way? A dramatic, even cinematic set, housed in four-flap portfolio stamped with date and limitation. Each sheet bears a chop of a dog at the lower corner. Fine.