Red Profile No. 8 was Coetzee's 8th painting created in 1995 and is one of his minimalist artworks. The red used in the painting visually impacts the viewer, who might interpret it as violent. According to Ferrie the year 1995 began as a difficult year for Coetzee with the passing away of his closest and dearest friend. Coetzee experienced bouts of depression and his works in early 1995 have a tendency to display aggressive colour of red and black.