Sorel Cohen

History

Sorel Cohen was born in 1936, in Montreal, Quebec, to parents of Russian and Polish descent.

Cohen pursued post-secondary education in Montreal, graduating with Fine Art degrees from both McGill University and Concordia University. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University in 1974, as well as a Masters of Fine Arts in 1979. Her Masters thesis examined feminist influences on art in the 1970s, and her work has continued to be shaped by her feminist values.

Style

Sorel Cohen has worked extensively with portraiture, both behind and in front of the camera. The majority of her work has a focus on both autobiographical works as well as feminist works. In the 1970s, Cohen began experimenting by combining photography with performance art, which was a relatively new idea at the time and soon became known for this. Cohen often combines the use of this performance art with a slow shutter speed, creating a blurred aesthetic. By displaying these photographs in a series, the viewer feels a sense of time passing through them. Cohen draws inspiration from all forms of art, from painting, to sculpture, to performance in her photographic work. Although Cohen's work comes from personal experience, she gives her photographs a quality that allows for interpretation, giving them an almost universal meaning. Cohen has produced an extensive collection of work that comes from a perspective of psychoanalysis.

Influences

• Sigmund Freud
• Francis Bacon (artist)
• Eadweard Muybridge

Photographic themes

Feminism

Cohen used photography to combat stereotypes of women, as well as subvert society's beliefs around a what a woman's role is. By placing herself both behind and in front of the camera, Cohen presents a commentary on the representation of women in these roles.

Absence and Psychoanalysis

A published book featuring her work Divans Maudits (with text by Gérard Wacjman), shows how Cohen was strongly influenced by psychoanalytical perspectives. Some her most well-known work features primarily empty beds and couches. The photographs carry another strong theme that is found in many of Cohen’s works as well, the theme/idea of absence. By photographing these empty couches and beds, objects that are primarily only seen as important when they are full of people or things, Cohen aims to capture what is missing.

Notable works and collections

Bacon / Muybridge (1979)

In After Bacon / Muybridge, Cohen looks at the work of painter Francis Bacon (artist) and uses photographic methods, such as long exposure and slow shutter speed to achieve a blurred effect. In this collection, Cohen also references the work of Eadweard Muybridge, who pioneered the study of motion in photography. Cohen presents these works through a lesser seen, feminist perspective.

Wounds of Experience (1995–1996)

This collection features a series of nine photographs exploring themes of absence and the relationship between psychoanalyst and patient, through depictions of psychoanalyst offices.

Divans Dolorosa (2008)

This collection features photographs of empty psychoanalyst consultation rooms of in Quebec. The focus of these photographs are the empty couches (or divans), allowing Cohen to present the idea of absence as something that is wholly present in the scene. Cohen examines different symptoms as described by psychoanalysts through these photographs.

Lacrimosa (2010)

Presented as a sequel to Divans Dolorosa, this collection features photographs of handkerchiefs with psychoanalytical descriptions attached to them.

Exhibitions

Sorel Cohen has had her work exhibited both nationally and internationally over the past three decades. Her work has been featured in both solo and group exhibitions.

Solo exhibitions

Canada

International

Group exhibitions

Canada

International

Awards

Sorel Cohen was awarded the prestigious Duke and Duchess of York Photography Prize, by the Canada Council in 1988.

Related activities

Sorel Cohen has been a member of various arts councils throughout her career. Most notably the Canada Council for the Arts, from 1990-1997. Cohen was also Ministère des Affaires culturelles du Québec in 1992. From 1979-1989 Cohen was a member of the Board of Directors for the Galerie Optica in Montreal. Cohen has been a guest lecturer at various Canadian Universities.