Maria Cohen
Within the layers of her artistic exploration, Maria Cohen unravels the depths of sexuality, liberating herself from personal struggles through a meticulous interplay of blots, strikes, and erasures. This transformative journey takes on various forms: from expressive drawings to intricate collages, vibrant digital animations, and dedicated artworks paying homage to the Old Masters. At the core of her exploration lies a profound objective: to speculate on sexuality through process, utilising her art as a conduit to articulate the spectrum of sexual energy—be it pain, anger, or anxiety. Informed by feminism, Maria's identity as a woman emboldens her to navigate the political landscape, affording her the liberty to explore these realms of sexuality within her practice—a legacy in itself.
Central to her artistic ethos is a compelling and evocative concept. By daring viewers to confront and acknowledge their vulnerabilities, Maria cultivates a profound and authentic engagement with her work. Pushing boundaries and transcending inhibitions underscores her desire to carve out a sanctuary for genuine self-expression and connection. In laying bare real emotions—sexuality, fears, and anxieties—Maria wields her art as a potent instrument to evoke raw and unfiltered responses from her audience, signifying a profound willingness to delve into the complexities of the human experience, confronting facets of life often hidden away. Her work offers the potential to be a catalyst for self-discovery and reflection, providing a space for individuals to connect with their own humanity on a deeper level.
Maria Cohen, 2023. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
Looking to nature and day-to-day life for inspiration, Maria finds solace in capturing fleeting moments, preserving them for future exploration and creative experimentation. Strolling along the streets, she is drawn to the intricacies of existence, revelling in the small details, often overlooked by cursory glances: “Indeed it is hard work to discover the uniqueness of everything to capture multitudes of vibrations which has affected one another. All these things are creating an invisible noise around all of us that affects further belief, true feelings, and relationships between all living.”
Encountering the works and philosophies of Audre Lorde also proved to be a pivotal juncture in Maria’s artistic journey. Lorde's discourse on suppression, sexuality, and the transformative potential of the Erotic resonated deeply, igniting a fervent exploration of sexual identity and its power. Likewise, Louise Bourgeois has had a big influence over the years. Loise Bourgeois’s “Cells” was directed by a desire for particular physical confrontation. In Maria’s practice, traps are physical confrontations between chaos and stability, duty, and desire.
Maria’s artistic studies followed the completion of her BA in Fine Arts from the Moscow Academy of Arts, later pursuing an MA in History & Philosophy of Art at the ICA Moscow. In 2021 she completed her MA in Fine Art Painting at Camberwell College of Arts, with support from the Art Ambassador Awards. Alongside her studies, she played a key role in organising a curatorial project at the Copeland Gallery in London. Her works have subsequently been selected for exhibitions at South London Gallery, Saatchi Gallery, and Fitzrovia Gallery. She has also collaborated with the fashion brand Urban Outfitters and is actively involved in local events, talks, and workshops. In February 2023, Maria curated a solo show, Zero Gravity, in Basel, Switzerland, with the support of Voskhod Gallery.
Maria Cohen, Unfolding Identity, 2022. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen, Copeland Gallery.
Thriving under pressure and outside her comfort zone, Maria draws in moments of anxiety, fear, or uncertainty. This instinctual coping mechanism helps her achieve inner balance and release suppressed emotions through visual self- expression. When faced with pain or difficulty articulating her thoughts, her creative routine transports her to a realm of imagination, where she crafts ideas and structures them into tangible forms, providing a sense of control over abstract situations. This process serves as a journey of self-discovery, prompting her to appreciate the fundamental aspects of daily life: “mother's love, the father's warmth, and care, the taste of food, morning lazy Saturday coffee, early morning pancakes made with unique love, and outstanding mathematic accuracy or nursing and nurturing the rose that was frostbitten by the cold of the Russian winter...”
Maria’s creating process begins with doodles and sketches, made of ink, pencil, pen, or watercolours. Multiple sketchbooks serve as a repository for daily reflections, fostering introspection and personal expression. She then refines ideas through larger sketches, integrating materials like photographs and videos. These explorations often evolve into mixed-media digital animations or paintings, with experimentation sometimes leading to collaborative projects and ambitious installations involving other creators.
Maria Cohen, Unfolding Identity, 2021. Mixed Media, Oil on Canvas, Screen Printing, Ink, 180 X 140 cm. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
Certain symbols and motifs reoccur across Maria’s art: rabbits, repetitions and traps. The image of the bunny serves as an alter-ego, embodying the intricate nature of humanity. She manipulates its form, oscillating between clarity and enigma, akin to invisible vibrations.
Repetition is also a crucial part of her practice. Repetition controls chaos, structuring ideas and thoughts. It embodies sustainable movements, accumulating energy toward powerful outcomes. Viewing visual practice as a journey of self-discovery, Maria explores the emotional resonance of symbols and words. Painted text across her works materialises thoughts, where it doesn't merely serve the purpose of informing the word's actual meaning, but it also becomes a tool to draw the emotional rhythm of thoughts, revealing the intimate and emotional process of painting. The result is an authentic visualisation of Maria's experiences, charting the journey of emotional exchange and disclosure.
As previously discussed, Maria also draws inspiration from Louise Bourgeois’s assertion that “Cells” was motivated by a desire for physical confrontation. In her artistic practice, traps manifest as physical confrontations amid chaos and stability, duty and desire. Maria perceives cells in her works as traps; akin to how Louise Bourgeois constructed cells resembling prisons where she embedded memories, life experiences, sufferings, fears, weaknesses, and anger. This perspective may appear paradoxical, as society often associates prison with punishment and sufferings, yet a diminutive cell represents both a haven of security and safety, and a site of degradation. Maria interprets this narrative from a sensual standpoint, reflecting a desire to break free from a metaphorical cage. The cell confines her, compelling a search for self-awareness. She articulates pain through diverse visual languages and layers, stacking them atop each other. These expressions are then effaced by vibrant, frustrating gestures and blots, only to be trapped again and again with subsequent layers of paint, resonating scratches, and provocative sexual gestures. Each layer of paint ensnares past expressions whilst introducing new ones, weaving together a coherent thread of creative reflections.
Maria Cohen, Angel Narcissist, 2023. Oil on Canvas. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
In a recent project titled Angel Narcissist, Maria delves into the portrayal of an angel stripped of emotions and empathy, ensnared within the confines of a narrow minded, money-driven world. The project explores themes of identity, spirituality, and the corrosive influence of materialism on individuality. Through the depiction of an angel imprisoned within a stone block, Maria highlights the struggle of discovering one's true self amidst societal pressures. Contrasting divine power with portraits of historical figures from the Baroque period, such as kings, queens, and Popes, the project illuminates the harsh realities of human nature.
Maria Cohen, Rabbit’s Choice, 2021. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
In another project, Rabbits' Choice, Maria delves into the exploration of sexual identity through an evolving process of reproductions and repetitions over time. The project documents the journey of empowering identity through the artist's personal transformations within the realm of artistic practice. The work consists of paintings, objects, documentaries, and performances. Maria layers paintings, drawings, and sketches to evoke curiosity within viewers, revealing hidden depths within the collage. The bunny symbolises a sexual alter-ego, embodying the ambiguity of human nature as Maria manipulates its form to challenge conventional readings. The next phase of the Rabbits' Choice project involves transforming it into a powerful platform for individuals to break free from societal constraints and express their true selves authentically. By encouraging participants to embrace vulnerability and overcome embarrassment, the project aims to foster genuine connections among diverse individuals. Through collaboration, Rabbits' Choice aims to generate ideas and realise ambitious projects, harnessing the power of collective creativity.
Maria Cohen, Project Zero Gravity, Frustrations, 2023. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
Over time, Maria's artistic journey has undergone many transformations. Beginning with traditional painting techniques, she ventured into experimental methods inspired by Renaissance and Gothic art, later incorporating elements from 20th-century modernism. This period was marked by an unconscious dialogue between her conscious and unconscious mind. As her journey progressed, Maria's practice evolved towards conceptual painting, aiming to uncover objectivity in the process of self-discovery and identity unfolding. She explored the dynamic interplay between artist and technique, embracing traditional painting alongside ventures into screen-printing and digital experimentation. Currently, Maria's work spans a spectrum of practices, seamlessly transitioning between digital and traditional painting. She integrates these techniques into curatorial projects, creating a synthesis of artistic expression that reflects the fusion of past and present influences on her ever evolving personal and artistic identity.
Maria Cohen, Project Zero Gravity, 2023. Photo Courtesy: Maria Cohen.
Solo Shows
2023, Zero Gravity.Voskhod gallery, Basel, Switzerland
Group Exhibitions
2023, Ego Dialogue, regroup Collective exhibition. Greatorex Street Gallery, London https://www.regroupcollective.com
2023, Undercurrents. Adelaide Crescent, Brighton and Hove
https://aoh.org.uk/house/may2023/adelaide-studio/
2023, Zero Gravity. Voskhod gallery, Basel, Switzerland
https://voskhod.ch/exhibitions/16-zero-gravity/
2022, regroup. regroup Collective exhibition. Espacio Gallery, London. https://www.regroupcollective.com/regroupcollective
2022, Still Happening. Kupfer gallery, London. https://kupfer.co/still-happening/
2022, Intimacy. regroup Collective exhibition. Fitzrovia Gallery
http://fitzroviagallery.co.uk/myportfolio/intimacy-regroup-collective/
2022, X-Nowness. Collective exhibition supported by Voice of Culture. Basel Art Center. https://voskhod.ch/exhibitions/12-x-nowness-collective-exhibition/
2021, London Grads Now. Saatchi Gallery, London
2021, Regroupcollective. no format gallery group show London
2021, South London Gallery London. UAL MA Fine Art Graduate Showcase
2021, Unmuted. Copeland Gallery London.
Curatorial Projects
2023, Pray&Sacrifice. Public Art, Series of Performances on the streets around Tel Aviv, Israel
2023, Undercurrents. Artists Open Houses, Brighton, UK https://aoh.org.uk/house/may2023/adelaide-studio/
2022-2023, Dealing with Toxic Masculinity. Series of Performances on the streets around London, Soho, Shoreditch, Greenwich
2023, Zero Gravity. Voskhod Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
https://voskhod.ch/exhibitions/16-zero-gravity/
2022, Intimacy. Fitzrovia Gallery, Regroup Collective
https://regroupcollective.com/exhibitions-3/
2019, MOMMA. Performance ‘What did you listen’ Regroup. FYFM. Dismorphophobia, or the war within your mind
2019, Paradise will be sold tomorrow. Regroup ‘FYFM’ ‘Communities and Spaces’, Winzavod, Moscow for Contemporary Art
Selected Awards
2024, UK Talent Visa.
2022, Project Rabbits Choice. A-list Society of American Art
http://a-list-artsociety.com/award_painting
2020, UAL International Postgraduate Scholarship
2016, Honorable Mention Award; In recognition of the overall achievements in Fine Arts at the V. Surikov State Academy Art Institute the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts
2016, Short-list online selection Marchionni Prize; MAGMMA Museum, Villacidro, Italy
Residencies
2022-2023, Art Residence at the Empress Place, London. https://theearlscourtdevelopmentcompany.com/whats-on/empress-studios
2021, Camberwell College of Art, Summer Residence, London.
2019, Chekhov API, Scientific Creative Residence, Moscow Region.
2018, International Residence Kyrgyzstan.
To learn more about Maria Cohen and her work, visit her website or connect via Instagram.
Nabila Bulbul
Editor in Chief, MADE IN BED
