Ralph Coe

Ralph T. Coe Age 81, known to everyone at "Ted Coe" passed away at his home in Santa Fe, NM on Tuesday, September 14 after a long illness. Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Ralph M. Coe and Dorothy T. Coe, his youthful enthusiasm for art history grew into a career and a lifelong commitment. Coe received his B.A. from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio in 1953 and his M.A. from Yale University, New Haven, CT in 1967. He was a visiting research assistant at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1956-1957 and worked at the Nelson Gallery of Art, Kansas City, MI as assistant curator from 1958-59. At the Nelson Gallery, he became Curator of Paintings and Sculpture in 1959, Assistant Director in 1965, and Director in 1977. From 1982-1983 he was Senior Visiting Scholar at the National Museum of American Indian. From 1984 onward he acted as a freelance art historian. Coe wrote numerous articles and publications throughout his career, as well as organized a number of exhibitions ranging from European to contemporary art. His exhibitions at the Nelson Gallery included "The Logic of Modern Art," 1961; The Imagination of Primitive Man," 1962 "The Magic Theatre," 1968; "Sacred Circles: 2000 Years of North American Indian Art" at the Hayward Gallery, London England 1976-77 and at Nelson Gallery in 1977; and "Lost and Found Traditions: Native American Art 1965-1985" at the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 1986 and which traveled to several venues. In addition to the catalogues accompanying his exhibitions, he was included in Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection, 2000; Posession/Obseession: Andy Warhol and Collecting, 2002; The Responsive Eye: Ralph T. Coe and the Collecting of American Indian Art, 2003; and Blue WInds Dancing The Whitecloud Collection of Native American Art, 2005. He served on many panels and committees relating to art throughout his life. His passion for all types of art was limitless, his main love being Native American. His sense of humor was completely unique. He leaves behind his sister and husband, a niece, and two nephews, as well as many close friends. He will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico at a date yet to be determined. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa St, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)984-8600