LIC artist uses canvas to advocate for social issues
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
What will change society
faster than politics?
There are those who
believe it might be art,
freedom and creativity.
It seems that belief is an
important part of artist,
activist and Queens native
Eileen Coyne’s raison d’etre.
If you’re curious, you
can view her intriguing
masterpieces at Q.E.D.’s
newest art installation
celebrating her work —
which has been described
as truly beautiful and often
quite powerful — at the free
opening night reception,
scheduled for Tuesday, Jan.
15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The collection will remain
on view and for sale through
the end of June at 27-16 23rd
Ave. in Astoria.
Since its opening, Q.E.D.’s
gallery has featured rotating
works from local artists,
including photographers,
painters, as well as
experimental artwork.
“As a woman-owned and
operated venue in a male
dominated industry, it gives
me great pleasure to highlight
the work of a fellow woman
artist. I’m especially thrilled
to have Coyne’s pieces that
evoke a powerful message
of feminism, strength and
perseverance,” said Q.E.D.
creator Kambri Crews, a
Queens resident.
Coyne, who lives and
works in Long Island City,
has exhibited extensively
in Queens, most notably at
the non-profit arts advocacy
organization LIC-A’s The
Plaxall Gallery, as well as at
The Factory (both of which
are showcasing her work
now), The Local Project,
Citibank and Astoria’s
Chateau Le Woof. Her work
has also been featured in the
Huffington Post and resides
in many private collections.
“As a painter, I am most
interested in capturing the
emotional complexity of
humanity. I also use my art
as a means to advocate for
social issues that matter
deeply to me,” she said.
“Art has been a
therapeutic tool for me
As a painter, LIC artist Eileen Coyne is most interested in capturing
the emotional complexity of humanity and also uses her art as a
means to advocate for social issues that matter deeply to her.
since childhood. Growing
up in an Irish, workingclass
family in a slowly
deteriorating steel town in
Courtesy of Eileen Coyne
Western Pennsylvania, I
was intrigued by the social
and racial diversity in my
community.”
The activist/artist received
her art education in Queens,
at The Bridgeview School
of Fine Arts. She is a proud
member of LIC Artists, Inc.
(LIC-A). It is there that she
found a supportive and diverse
community of professional
Queens-based artists and was
an artist-in-residence at their
Plaxall Gallery home in 2018.
“While other art forms
entered my life at various
stages, most notably dance
and theatre, painting people
remains my greatest form
of expression,” Coyne said.
“My time in the theatre
allowed me the opportunity
to work in Europe where
I was introduced to the
German expressionists. I
am inspired by the work of
Soutine, Schiele, Kokoschka,
Beckmann and Lucien Freud
to name a few. I admire their
unique ability, with heavy use
of paint, to dissect the human
psyche on their canvas.
“In this unprecedented
political climate, I see my
work evolving to reflect more
poignantly my social and
political beliefs.”
CATERING MENU
Buffet Menu Sit Down Dinner
Minimum 40 Guests 3 Hour Function
(Mon.-Sat. 12-3pm or 1-4pm)
Assorted Breads & Rolls
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Large Tossed Salad
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Choice of Five Main Dishes
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Sausage & Peppers �� Eggplant Rollatini
Meatballs �� Chicken Francese �� Shepherd’s Pie
Minimum 25 Guests 3 Hour Function
(Mon.-Sun. 5-10pm)
Assorted Breads & Rolls
House Salad
Choice of Three Main Dishes
Served with Potato & Vegetables
Broiled Filet of Sole �� Chicken Marsala
Penne a la Vodka �� Shrimp Scampi
Chicken Francese �� Spinach Ravioli
Shepherd’s Pie �� 16 oz. Black Angus Certifi ed
Shell Steak $4 extra / per person
�� Buff et Only...........................................................$18.95/pp
�� Dinner with Soft Drinks...................................$21.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Domestic Tap Beer, Wine & Soda...$23.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Mixed Drinks, Domestic Beer
(Bottle & Tap) Wine & Soda..............................$26.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Top Shelf Liquors, Imported &
Domestic Beer (Bottle & Tap), Wine & Soda...$37.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Domestic Tap Beer, Wine & Soda..$24.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Mixed Drinks, Domestic Beer
(Bottle & Tap) Wine & Soda................................$27.95/pp
�� Dinner w/ Top Shelf Liquors, Imported &
Domestic Beer (Bottle & Tap), Wine & Soda...$37.95/pp
FRESH COFFEE, BREWED DECAF & TEAS
DESSERT
Chocolate Truffl e Cake
214-22 41st Ave., Bayside, NY 11361 �� 718-224-9898 �� maggiemaysbayside.com
TIMESLEDGER,TIMESLEDGER.COM JAN. 11-17, 2019 27
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