Willie Cole (b. 1955)

'Professor Sanders always showed up at my studio with my dealer on his way to the airport. I remember once when I thought I was on to something new and original by burning holes completely through canvas with a hot iron, Prof. Sanders unintentionally threw me for a loop one day when he smiled and said with enthusiasm "a lot of artists are doing that now." I wasn't sure what he meant but I immediately stopped burning holes all the way through canvas and found something new to do. Then on his next visit a year later he showed his support by buying my "new" thing: sculptures made from high heel shoes, but to my surprise still supported my old thing; scorched canvases and steam iron assemblages.'

Willie Cole
December 2012