Jerry Coker Mixed Media Metal Mask Friend Shawn 2 Appraisal

Jerry Coker Mixed Media Metal Mask 'Friend + Shawn #2'

This is a significant contemporary folk art mask by renowned self-taught artist Jerry Coker. Standing approximately 18 inches high, the piece is constructed from foundational reclaimed sheet metal, likely roofing tin or scrap steel, which has been hand-formed into a convex oval shape typical of the artist's 'face' series. The composition is characterized by its raw, industrial materiality and expressive aesthetic. The surface is heavily worked with applied layers of varying materials, including jagged, distressed metal shards that serve as 'hair' at the top and as architectural features within the mouth and cheeks. One eye is represented by a glass marble or globe, while the other is an abstract metal void, creating an asymmetric and haunting gaze. The mask is hand-painted with a palette of dark, oxidized tones punctuated by vibrant red dots and lavender-blue gestural outlines that define the facial structure. The construction includes a prominent vertical nose bridge and textured, crusty patinas that suggest rust, weatherization, and age. The piece is signed and features the handwritten title 'Friend + Shawn #2' by the artist. Condition is excellent within the intended 'found object' aesthetic, showing deliberate oxidation and rough edges characteristic of Coker’s style. This mask exemplifies the Outsider Art tradition, blending primitive totemic imagery with the detritus of modern industrial life.