Petah Coyne at Galerie Lelong

For her first New York gallery show in nearly ten years, Petah Coyne continues to create richly evocative sculpture inspired by literature; this peacock-topped chandelier titled ‘Black Snowflake’ pays homage to Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain, his 1965 novel about Hiroshima.  Personal themes also run though the show; here, a piece in memory of Coyne’s late father includes a bird considered in Irish mythology to accompany the soul to heaven.  (On view at Galerie Lelong in Chelsea through Oct 27th).

Petah Coyne, Untitled #1242 (Black Snowflake), specially-formulated wax, pigment, taxidermy, candles, tassels, ribbons, hand-blown glass bulbs, chicken-wire fencing, wire, steel, cable, cable nuts, sash weight, quick-link shackles, jaw-to-jaw swivel, silk/rayon velvet, 3/8” grade 30 proof coil chain, Velcro, thread, plastic, 71 x 75 x 50 inches, 2007 – 12.