Girl To Know: Coco Gordon Moore
Despite the fame projected onto her by her parents (Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth), Coco Gordon Moore is a distinct artist on her own. Moore has done multiple art shows, has been a member of a few different bands, and has published several chapbooks. Moore’s work revolves around women, and she uses her artistic platform to spread awareness to sexual violence and gender inequality.
“ I feel like sometimes I write about my exhaustion of being viewed as a whore or a Madonna, or
a victim that has to be saved — just view me as a person and not these different things. It's an
exhausting game that I don't want to play. All women experience this, not just me, so I'm hoping
that my words can make someone feel comfortable or like they can relate.” (Paper Magazine)
photo: Oyster Magazine
Moore’s paintings and drawings are text-based, often with ambiguous phrases pieced together. The art is somewhat representative of the mix of feelings, thoughts, and drawings of a personal diary.
The Wind y Coco Gordon Moore
Just as it should be, Moore believes that art should be accessible to everyone and sells her drawings and paintings on a sliding scale. Since Moore’s art is centered around women, she makes pieces affordable for them in order to reach an audience that can relate to her art.
“Historically, art has profited off the voices of women and people of colour, but those aren’t the people who can usually afford to buy it. Artists — and usually white male artists — are the ones who already have money, too. I hate that. But I’m just trying to make work that speaks to women, and is actually affordable for them. And it’s kind of worked out because I sold some pieces to a woman who could only afford to pay a little, and then I sold my work to a man who paid full price.” (Coco Gordon Moore, Oyster Magazine)
Moore’s art is based on social awareness, and the proceeds from her chapbooks has been donated to various organizations such as the Massachusetts Bail Fund, No Means No, and Women of Color Against Violence.
Aside from making art, Moore has modelled on high-end runways (Eckhaus Latta) and posed fordesigner campaigns (Proneza Schouler, Marc Jacobs).
Photographed by Clara Balzary
Moore’s most recent chapbook is titled “Today I Hate the Sun”, and is contained with poems and a cover that features a self-portrait of herself that she drew in kindergarten. The proceeds will go to the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, which will help pay bail for those who cannot afford it and protests the unfair system of cash bail.
