Interview with Kim Cogan
Night Owl
Kim Cogan, born in 1977, in Pusan, Korea, is a San Francisco native known for his painterly depictions of Urban Landscapes. Kim provides a representational impression of the scene, inspired by a connection he shares with the surrounding environment. Here is a glimpse of his work and his words.
Little Paradise
What inspired you to be an artist?
I am a creative person, and drawing and painting has always been what I stuck to. People would tell me I was a great artist, before I could even understand what the word meant. It has been very natural that I grew into those shoes. I don’t know about being called great, but maybe I can come close to that if I work hard.
Ducks in a Row
What do you listen to while working?
I listen to a lot of NPR in the daytime, and music late into the evening. I listen to a wide variety, and try to switch it up often as well. I have a guilty pleasure for gangsta rap.
St. Michael Grocery
Where do you see the art scene in 10 years?
It is hard to predict where the art scene/market will be in 10 years since it is constantly changing trends. The art world is always hungry for fresh new ideas and approaches. In general I would only hope to see better quality artwork produced in the future, and *ahem* to see my artwork in a museum collection in of course.
Red Building, Fire Escape
Anything that frustrates you as an artist?
Artist(s) have been looked upon and stereotyped for many years,
so being an artist comes with this mythical persona attached which is based upon a persons experience with a friend/relative who is also an artist, or if your lucky what they have learned from a museum or text book. Sometimes I loath the question from strangers what do you do for a living?
Descending a Staircase
What steps do you take to help evolve your work?
I am in a constant state of reinvention, brainstorming new ideas and trying different approaches. Learning process of painting has been very much trial and error. Once something is learned, I question how can I flip it and do something different?
Sweet Tooth
Besides San Francisco, anywhere else you might want to live?
If I were to live anywhere else it would probably be NYC but not for too long, San Francisco is home. I get homesick really easily.
Manhattan at Twilight
Any other endeavors for Kim Cogan?
Solo Exhibitions
September – October 2009
Hespe Gallery
251 Post Street, Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94108
tel: 415.776.5918
email: info@hespe.com
www.hespe.com
November – December 2009
Gallery Henoch
555 W 25th Street
New York, NY 10001
tel: 917.305.0003
email: info@galleryhenoch.com
www.galleryhenoch.com
Kim Cogan at work
Jul 15th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Thanks for introducing me to Kim’s work, love the Night Owl and Red Building, Fire Escape pieces.
Jul 15th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
No problem and thanks for checking it out! Yeah, I would love to see some of Kim’s early graffiti work and sketchbooks…maybe one day….
Jul 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Kim still killing it.
the master of less is more is more.
Aug 4th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Awesome works!!!!
Hope to see again in a further show.
Dec 11th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
remind me a series of work of Dan Witz
http://www.danwitzstreetart.com/night1.html
Dec 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Ohh – i like this one, Zindo: woah
and this one: nice
Thanks for the tip.
Jul 21st, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Great work!! Can’t wait for your show at GALLERY HENOCH on Sept. 22- Oct 15th!!
http://www.galleryhenoch.com/exhibitions_upcoming.html
555 West 25th St.
New York, NY 1001
(t) 917 305 0003