Eliana Cohn
College of Fine Arts, Studio Art (BFA)
Ephemera
My name is Eliana Cohn, and I am a sophomore pursuing a BFA in Studio Arts. My work is deeply personal, often rooted in memories from my childhood and experiences with my friends and family. I am drawn to emotionally significant moments, whether joyful, nostalgic, or quietly reflective, and I use my art as a way to preserve and process those experiences. Themes of memory, connection, and vulnerability consistently drive my practice, as I am interested in how relationships and personal history shape identity.
I typically begin with an emotional idea grounded in lived experience. Whether referencing shared moments with friends or meaningful objects tied to my past, I aim to capture not only what something looked like, but what it felt like. My work often balances clarity and abstraction, reflecting how memories can feel both vivid and distant at the same time.
My primary media are painting and mixed media, and I enjoy experimenting with different materials and stylistic approaches. Sometimes my work is highly stylized, while other times it leans more realistic, often blending the two within a single piece. I also enjoy photography, and I find that using photography strengthens my paintings. It allows me to document meaningful moments and reference composition, lighting, and detail, giving me a strong foundation to build from while still leaving space for interpretation and abstraction.
Artwork Description:
This painting explores the significance of ephemera and the way temporary objects can carry lasting emotional meaning. Inspired by the modernized quote "I am a mosaic of everyone I've loved," the piece is based on a photograph I previously created as a self-portrait made entirely through objects rather than my physical likeness. Each object depicted in the painting was either a gift from a loved one or collected during a meaningful moment shared with one. Although the objects themselves may be temporary, they represent memories and relationships that continue to shape who I am.