Selected Bio

Lenore is a conceptual artist currently based in NYC. She's worked as an artist and producer since earning a BA in art from Brooklyn College in 2009. Internationally exhibited and collected, Lenore’s work has been presented in solo and group shows in the US, Italy, Amsterdam, Canada and Israel. She and her work have been published in books, scholarly journals, newspapers and featured in radio and television interviews.

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Lenore's work is heavily influenced by her Syrian Jewish heritage. Her generation, children of immigrants, are the inheritors of a 2,000 year old Middle Eastern culture which was only recently transplanted to a Western country. Her art is concerned with examining this confluence of cultures. There’s an inherent dichotomy to an East-meets-West upbringing which encourages constant re-evaluation of cultural perceptions and relationships. The unique worldview of this community is a springboard from which to create work about broader issues.

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Using Arabic calligraphy, embroidery, paper cut, and light, Lenore creates work about mental health, self perception, consumerism, and what place one’s heritage has in their everyday life. Lenore is also interested in making work about forced migration and its effect on the generations that come after. Her art expresses appreciation of her roots, ensuring that the cultural overlap she exists within doesn’t disappear.

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Her work is currently being featured in a solo show at the Museo Ebraico of Lecce, Italy, and another solo show separately at Moshava Gallery in Manhattan. In 2023-4, Will I Find My Peace was exhibited at the Jewish Museum of Vienna. Everything Forbidden is Sought After is currently at the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam after being shown at the Jewish Museum of Berlin. In 2021, Lenore created and produced the group show Maktoub, bringing together Hebrew and Arabic calligraphers from the UAE and Israel to exhibit in Jerusalem. In 2025-6 a new work, By Any Other Name, will be on display at the Jewish Museum in Vienna.

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See artworks as they’re being created on instagram @LenoreCohen.

Contact Lenore to schedule a studio visit in Brooklyn. 

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Artists Statement

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"Arabic calligraphy is, to me, one of the most beautiful and dynamic art forms. It was especially exciting for me to realize its possibilites in 3-d, which I use almost exclusively in my art. This often leads to some head-scratching-- why is a Jewish person so immersed in creating and writing in Arabic?

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As a Syrian Jew I know that Jews have existed peacefully in the Middle East for over 2000 years, and that we are an integral part of this region's history. This culture comes naturally to me... being in this position, it's my responsibility to use my art to create conversations and raise awareness in others about this little-understood reality. 

 

My cultural heritage is often ignored, which erodes it. This allows a false narrative to be told about the Jewish people's place in the Middle East. Art is my way to combat that; creating these things leaves a record and encourages my own people to carry old ideas forward into a new generation, with refreshed appreciation and thinking. Being vocal about it, even when it's not understood or always welcomed, helps me make sure I'm not taking part in my own erasure.

 

Creating is an integral part of who I am. Staying in touch with bigger picture ideas feeds my essence and keeps me dedicated, despite a more traditional inner life that points me in a completely different direction and oftentimes can make art-making seem like an unlikely path.

 

My work offers a reason to pause and pulls you in, first on an aesthetic and then on the conceptual level. The art of which I'm most proud tangibly expresses my focus, skill and dedication, bringing together years of training, thoughtfulness and many hours of diligent, hard work to manifest as objects you can see, feel, and appreciate.

Often, my art encourages critical thinking from people on real world issues that they may not have otherwise engaged with. It opens new conversations with people of all stripes and I find this exciting. 

 

There are relatively few creative people who are vocal about this heritage. Work like mine makes people consider new angles on real world issues and can create more understanding between people, especially those who share an appreciation for Arabic. Art is a way to build bridges, to make people stop, listen and regard other perspectives. It's my goal to continually do this through subtle, thoughtful, thought-provoking art."