Maria Cohen

Lives and works in London, UK

Artist statement

I am exploring sexuality through my own identity. Feminism informs my identity as a woman; the politics of this empower me to be freely explore sexuality in my practice, which itself the function of legacy. I challenge and acknowledge aspects of sexuality through various artistic media such as paintings, drawings, printmaking, performances, and animations. I approach my practice as an experience, a physical and almost performative moment: every piece of art, every artistic gesture, or manifest is a way to overcome embarrassment and accept vulnerability, weakness, and fragility. To engage with different media, I explore the boundaries between the media and myself as the creator. I am interested in how emotional and physical interaction with each media can shape and influence the creative outcome. This transformative process manifests in various forms, be it expressive drawings, random collages, vibrant digital animations, striking graffiti, or dedicated pieces paying homage to old masters' paintings. Within this practice, I unravel my sexual identity, navigating the boundaries and traps imposed by my Russian and Jewish background. Confronting fear, I become aware of the voice buried in anxiety and frustrations, acknowledging the hidden power within. The repetition in my practice releases and controls chaos, structuring ideas and thoughts. By challenging the viewer to confront and acknowledge their vulnerabilities, I am encouraging a deep and authentic engagement with my...

Artwork