Ryan Cosbert

Born in 1999 in Brooklyn, NY
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY

Ryan Cosbert’s abstract paintings give an image and a voice to those who stayed unknown and forgotten during the time of colonization and slavery. The artist, whose ancestors are from Haiti and Guyana, finds great strength and inspiration in her roots. She is particularly interested in the consequences of oppression that is carried down through generations. Cosbert was largely influenced by the works of abstract artists such as Sam Gilliam, Jack Whitten and Alma Thomas, the references to which she blends her childhood memories. The depth of his paintings, due to the application of numerous layers of paint, complements the geometric balance of the compositions. This combination, reinforced by the presence of grids, gives Cosbert’s paintings an almost sculptural dimension. The deliberate abstraction of her work encourages viewers to search for the meaning of the works, guided by their titles.