Highlighted Artist: Sharon Cohen

Sharon Cohen

I’m a photographer and an artist, a mom of two lovely 24 year old boys
and a wife. I have a deep love for animals and veganism, that along
with art, nature and family, sustains me. As a spiritual seeker all of these above personas somehow intercepts with my work.

I grew up in New York, moving to London in my teens where I worked for
ten great years, assisting photographers in film and commercial
photography. It was awesome. I truly learned my craft there.
When my husband and I welcomed our babies, I opened a massage
practice, shifting gears into the healing arts for the love of that and for a
more practical schedule.

I was always connected to my photography and now the kids were along
for the ride. I would joke, ‘My subjects have arrived’.

What is the inspiration behind the work?
My mandala photographs were part of a series called “Renewal”. At the
time I was experiencing deep grief and at the same time having incredible,
transcendent experiences at loved one’s bedsides. The mandalas came to
me in a dream, along with specific instructions. It still fascinates me, the art
gesture from witnessing death was to go deeper into nature and life. I spent
a year solely making these mandalas. It was meditative and deeply
healing. 

Is there a piece that you have created that you are most proud of?
There’s a piece I often think of as my favorite, from another series called
“White” , it’s on my website. This somehow encompasses life, death and
everything in-between for me. 

Do you believe that art sparks conversation? I think this can be true. I was always shy about being at my openings. I’m better at the silent conversation of showing my work. If there’s a feeling,
something invoked, good or bad, then that is the conversation.
Some of my work is more narrative and provocative too. I spent about 10
years working on a series called “Boy”, they are black and white prints of
boys in their habitat, greatly inspired by my love of some of Sally Mann’s
and Elinor Carucci’s astonishing and honest work. 

What led you to become an artist?
I think it was a natural language for me. It’s that thing where it finds you. i
had a camera around my neck as early as 4 years old. A natural observer
and fascinated by the machinery of it all too.

What is the most exciting/interesting/ ”thing” that has happened
through inspiration of your work?
On an interesting level, when I had my “Renewal” show at the O’Hanlan
gallery in Mill Valley, I distributed small black velvet tablets and invited
people to make their own mandalas and photograph them on their phones.
There were all types of people and it became like a party, all of us eewwing
and ahhhing over each others creations. It was such a window into each
person. There was this wonderful gaiety and awe of the participants. I really loved that, and would love to do more with that!

Where can we see more of your work?
A lot of my work is on my website at sharoncaplancohen.com. You can purchase limited edition archival prints at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/delicateart

Compassion, community, the planet, the people, animals, health and
sustainability are what drive Sanctuary Bistro. How would you say
these impact your work?
I am heart centered in all my work. I aim to connect through the heart. It’s
the intention of creating a transcendent art piece that will take
one into an expanded space for a moment, via the heart.
My art, practically speaking, inspired me to volunteer with Zen Hospice.

Currently one of my dogs and I were recently certified from Marin Humane
to do animal assisted therapy work, in hospitals and assisted living
communities, so now I’m a duo. It’s my joy to watch people feel the love of
animals at their bedside’s. It’s a beautiful thing!

Taking this a step further it spills into love for the earth and wild creatures from picking up a piece of trash that will wind up in the ocean or buying the product that’s not toxic, etc. Once the heart opens, it just keeps opening
with awareness.

I really value your humanity and everything The Sanctuary stands for. To
be included in any way humbles me. I am in awe of the work you do.

Any shows anywhere?
I’m working on a new series, exploring near death
experiences, that will hopefully show later this year.