Phoebe Cole

Phoebe Cole Gordon (July 15, 1955 – January 14, 2017) was an American artist.

Early life Gordon was born Phoebe Cole in Eugene, Oregon on July 15, 1955, the second child of Nonnie and Paul Cole. As a child, she was not allowed to sit and watch television without doing something her mother deemed "constructive," so she was provided drawing paper and colored pencils. From this, Gordon learned to doodle while she watched cartoons.

Career Gordon studied printmaking at the University of Oregon with LaVerne Krauss. Her cohort included Jennifer Guske and Libby Unthank. Following her completion of a BFA in Printmaking, Gordon produced multicolored linoleum cuts and sold them to galleries around the United States. From 2008, she created ceramic sculptures, acknowledging the influence of Mexican folk art and making Day of the Dead pieces.

Notable artwork The Famous Fandango (1981), screenprint on paper (Smithsonian American Art Museum) We're Having a Heat Wave (1982), color linocut on wove paper (National Gallery of Art) Shu Shu Wah (1984), color linocut on paper (Smithsonian American Art Museum)