Junior High School Marathon

Year Created
2024

Description
In “Junior High School Marathon,” Ortaire de Coupigny transforms a simple tin can into a dynamic scene filled with movement, hierarchy, and endurance.
Within translucent wax, five fish are arranged diagonally downward, recalling the staggered formation of runners in a long-distance race.
The largest and most vividly painted fish leads the way, followed by progressively smaller fish in pursuit. The scene humorously and affectionately captures the spirit of school competitions, where energy and determination often outweigh experience.

Through his skillful use of metal, wax, and pigment, de Coupigny enhances the work’s playful narrative quality.
The wax creates a sense of suspension, softening details and suggesting movement within an enclosed space.
The smooth turquoise metallic frame reinforces the aquatic theme while subtly evoking the imagery of a racetrack or a medal frame, hinting at ideas of competition and achievement.
Rendered in vibrant shades of magenta, crimson, gold, and black, the fish shimmer under changing light, their individual textures and patterns emphasizing distinct personalities within the group.

At the top of the artwork, a wooden insert featuring a hand-painted marine creature adds another layer of depth.
Signed by the artist, this small sketch firmly anchors the work within de Coupigny’s imaginative world, where humor, craftsmanship, and artistic transformation converge.
The slightly tilted tin lid enhances the impression that the race has just begun, as if a starting signal has sounded and the fish have surged forward together.

For collectors of contemporary mixed-media art, “Junior High School Marathon” is a compelling visual expression of movement, restraint, and playful storytelling. De Coupigny’s talent for transforming everyday objects into stages for humor and narrative makes this work one of the most engaging and thought-provoking pieces in his series.

*Description based on text published by ART SAN Gallery.

Artwork Type
Sculpture / Painting

Materials & Techniques
Aluminum, Metal, Wax, Pigment, Epoxy Resin, Woodcut Print

Dimensions
10 × 16 × 3.5 cm (3.94 × 6.30 × 1.38 inches)

Additional Information
-One-of-a-kind original artwork
-Ready to display (please refer to the photo of the reverse side)