Penny Coss (b. Sydney 1961) is primarily a painter who manipulates the tradition of Abstract Expressionism where staining and soaking of the canvas is permeated with a new interpretation of the Australian landscape. She has an extensive exhibition history with recent solo shows with Art Collective WA at ArtStage Singapore and for Sydney Contemporary.
In her entry for the John Stringer Prize 2017,The elements and motifs in her body of work, Of Their Own Accord relate to phenomena in nature. Gravity accords with things that float like algal blooms, ocean detritus and ash clouds where matter and space is extended through small painted interventions that activate the surface of the wall to be an integral component of the work. Penny Coss’ works, derived from interpretations of the landscape that focus on relationships of exchange between individuals and natural environments, often allude to landscapes that have troubled histories
She has participated in group shows including The Yellow Vest Syndrome, Fremantle Arts Centre (2009 Curator Jasmin Stephens), Epic Narratives PICA, (2015 Curator Leigh Robb) and te tuhi-the mark, Pakuranga Arts Centre, Manukau City Aotearoa NZ.
Penny Coss has been shortlisted for numerous art prizes including the Paddington Art Prize, Sydney, the Bankwest Art Prize, Perth, the Fishers Ghost Art Award, NSW and won The Albany Art Award, Albany. She is represented in numerous public, corporate and private collections including Itami Museum, Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art, Macquarie Art Collection, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery and Perth International Airport.
