Origin: Paris, France
Currently Exhibiting in: New York City
Website: Roman Cochet
Social Media: Instragram
Bio:
Roman Cochet, born in Paris in 1987, is an artist known for his thought-provoking exploration of human absence and desolation through painting, drawing, and sculpture. After receiving his BFA from Central Saint Martins in London and his MFA from Hunter College in New York, Cochet has exhibited his work globally, with notable solo shows at Alexander and Bonin Gallery in New York and the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). His work contemplates the fragility of human existence and the remnants left behind, evoking a sense of desolation where familiar objects and landscapes take on new, haunting forms.
In his recent work, Cochet imagines a world without humanity, where only traces remain—a broken chair, an abandoned bottle, or wild vegetation overtaking human relics. His paintings convey an eerie stillness, capturing a dreamlike post-human landscape that engages viewers in a dialogue between presence and absence, past and future. Cochet’s approach, characterized by his layering and stripping techniques, allows new forms to emerge from the ruins, reflecting the transience of life and humanity’s ephemeral impact on the world.
Featured Artwork at Bushwick Gallery
Courgette
Year of Creation: 2021
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 39.5 inches x 31.5 inches
Price: $5,000 USD
Description:
Courgette is an intimate, reflective piece inspired by Cochet’s pet cat. This oil painting explores themes of presence and absence, blending organic forms with muted tones to evoke a sense of quiet solitude. Through the delicate use of oil paint, Cochet brings forth an enigmatic scene that reflects his overarching vision—a world caught between the tangible and the transient, where life’s small, often overlooked moments become profound meditations on existence. The piece aligns with Cochet’s broader artistic journey, creating a bridge between the familiar and the haunting, where every object hints at an underlying fragility.
Exhibition Information
Group Exhibition: Wild Kingdoms: Animals Reimagined
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7 / 6PM-8PM
Exhibition Dates: November 7 – November 18, 2024
Theme: Reinterpret the animal kingdom through a modern lens, exploring abstract representations and social commentary. Cochet’s Courgette contributes a contemplative element to the exhibition, reflecting on the relationship between humans and other beings through a lens of quiet desolation and introspection. His work invites viewers to question what remains when humanity fades, leaving only memories and traces embedded in the world around us.