Wendy Cohen
Wendy Cohen
Wendy Cohen's artwork is a vibrant exploration of form and color, bridging the gap between the abstract and the tangible. Each piece is a symphony of color, where warm and cool tones coalesce in a harmonious yet dynamic composition. Her use of scarlet and cherry pinks, in particular, imbues her canvases with a pulsating life force that seems to dance across the surface.
Her style, reminiscent of abstract expressionism, employs spontaneous and gestural brushstrokes, suggesting a liberated approach to her artistic process. This freedom of expression manifests in swirling, interlocking forms that suggest both movement and connectivity. In some pieces, there is a tangible sense of layered textures, adding depth and a tactile quality that invites viewers to not just see but almost feel the art.
Cohen's use of geometric forms interspersed with organic lines creates a fascinating dichotomy, hinting at the complex relationship between human-made structures and the natural world. The circular motifs that recur throughout her work could be seen as a nod to unity and infinity, concepts that transcend the visual to provoke thought and introspection.
The unique incorporation of everyday materials in some works offers a commentary on the intersection of art and life. These materials are elevated beyond their mundane existence, transformed into integral elements of the artistic narrative. Cohen's art is not just to be viewed; it is to be experienced. It stands as a testament to the beauty of abstraction, where the interplay of form, color, and texture coalesces into something that transcends the sum of its parts. Each painting is a window into Cohen's imagination, an invitation to explore a world untethered by reality, where emotion and intuition take precedence over representation.
Wendy Cohen's paintings invite viewers into a kaleidoscope of emotional and visual experiences, embodying a confluence of abstract expressionism and contemporary concerns. Each piece is a vivid exploration of color, texture, and form that evokes comparison with the gestural brushwork of Willem de Kooning and the chromatic intensity of Mark Rothko. Yet, Cohen's work is distinctly her own, presenting a unique dialogue between the canvas and the spectator.
Cohen's art does not shy away from invoking the raw, visceral reactions often associated with the works of Jackson Pollock. Her use of vibrant, sometimes almost violent, color contrasts creates a visual rhythm that dances across the canvas. It is as though each painting is a different movement in a symphony, orchestrated not by sound but by the emotive power of hues and shades.
The tactile quality of Cohen's work is another of its defining features, reminiscent of the textural plays of Anselm Kiefer. Layers upon layers of media create a depth that is almost palpable, inviting the viewer to not just see, but to feel the art with their eyes. This multisensory engagement is part of what makes her paintings stand out, as they offer not just a visual journey but a tactile exploration.
In terms of interaction with the viewer, Cohen's paintings are akin to a dialogue rather than a monologue. Her canvases are not passive but active, reaching out to engage the viewer in a conversation. This interactive quality is suggestive of the works of Yayoi Kusama, where the observer becomes an integral part of the art itself. Cohen's paintings are not complete until they are witnessed; their full narrative potential is realized in the presence of an audience, each person's interpretation adding a layer of meaning to the work.
The uniqueness of Cohen's artwork is rooted in her ability to straddle the line between the familiar and the avant-garde. While her paintings echo the grandeur of historical figures and movements, they are firmly planted in the present, addressing the viewer in a language that is both timeless and timely. Her use of mixed media is innovative, incorporating non-traditional materials that give her works a three-dimensional quality that is rarely seen in abstract art.
Cohen's paintings also communicate with the viewer through their inherent sense of movement. It is as if the lines and shapes within each piece are in constant flux, a characteristic that brings to mind the dynamism of Futurism, yet without the mechanical coldness sometimes associated with that movement. Instead, there is warmth in Cohen's work, a human touch that resonates with the viewer's own sense of being in the world.
The thematic content of Cohen's paintings is as diverse as the visual elements she employs. Some pieces may seem to delve into the chaos of the subconscious, akin to the surreal dreamscapes of Salvador Dali, while others present a more meditative, Zen-like quality that whispers of Agnes Martin's influence. This duality—between the tumultuous and the serene—is a testament to Cohen's versatility as an artist and the range of human emotions she captures.
Cohen's art exhibits a fearless approach to scale and form. Her large canvases command the space they inhabit, engulfing the viewer in their narrative, much like the grand compositions of Abstract Expressionists such as Barnett Newman.
Wendy Cohen's paintings are a celebration of abstract art's potential to engage, provoke, and move the viewer. Her work is a testament to the enduring power of abstract expression, yet it is also an invitation to find personal resonance within the universal language of color, texture, and form. As each viewer encounters Cohen's canvases, they are offered a chance to embark on a journey that is both deeply personal and expansively universal, a rare quality that positions her work within the lineage of great abstract artists while also marking her territory as a contemporary innovator.
Wendy Cohen's contributions to the art world are significant and unique, as she forges a distinct path that intersects the tactile sensibilities of mixed media art with the philosophical underpinnings of abstract expressionism. Her canvases are not merely surfaces to bear pigment but become sculptural in their own right. This blurring of the boundaries between painting and sculpture is a hallmark of her work, aligning her with the likes of Robert Rauschenberg, yet she forges ahead with a language that is unmistakably her own.
Cohen’s artistry lies in her ability to translate intangible emotions and concepts into tangible visual forms. She does not simply paint; she orchestrates a complex interplay of materials that resonate with the observer's innermost experiences. In a world where digital media often dominate the visual landscape, Cohen's work reaffirms the value of the handcrafted and the physical. Her paintings, rich with texture and depth, demand in-person engagement, thereby reasserting the importance of physical presence in the experience of art.
The importance of Cohen’s work is also found in its universal accessibility. While abstract art can sometimes feel esoteric, Cohen's paintings maintain a level of approachability that invites a wide audience to find meaning and connection. In an age where inclusivity and diversity are increasingly championed, Cohen’s art embodies these ideals, extending an open invitation to viewers from all walks of life to participate in the interpretive process.
Cohen's unbridled use of color challenges the viewer's perceptions and emotions. She employs color not just as a visual element but as a vehicle for feeling, recalling the emotive power of the Color Field painters. However, Cohen’s palette is entirely contemporary, reflecting the complexity and vibrancy of the modern world. Her use of color transcends mere aesthetics, delving into the psychology of perception and the emotional associations that colors evoke.
Cohen's paintings are important in the way they capture the zeitgeist of the contemporary era while paying homage to the artistic achievements of the past. In her work, one can discern echoes of historical art movements—from the raw power of Abstract Expressionism to the cerebral landscapes of Minimalism—yet these influences are synthesized through a modern lens that speaks to the current moment. Her art is a bridge between the enduring questions of human existence and the fleeting nature of contemporary life.
In the art world, Cohen's paintings are a beacon of individual expression and innovation. They stand as a testament to the enduring need for art that challenges, delights, and inspires. Through her distinctive visual language, she not only contributes to the ongoing narrative of abstract art but also expands it, inviting a reevaluation of what it means to communicate through the medium of paint in the twenty-first century. Her work is unique not just for its aesthetic qualities but for its ability to resonate with the collective consciousness, making her an important figure in the landscape of contemporary art.
By Marta Puig
Editor Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
