100+ Musings was the result of one artist’s question to herself. In the winter of 2020, after the world had changed before our eyes, jewelry artist and curator Barbara Cohen asked herself “How can I do good with my work?”
Cohen has been a long-time member and supporter of CCBC, joining in 1979 after moving to Vancouver from Montreal. She has exhibited, served as juror and curated exhibitions for the Craft Council. In 1999, a display of seven pieces of her then relatively new work launched Cohen’s career as a jewelry artist. According to Barbara, the exposure from that small display at the craft council led to gallery shows across Canada and the US.
Twenty-plus years later, Cohen is still an invaluable asset to the craft council. When she approached us with an idea for a fundraiser at the beginning of summer 2021, we jumped at the opportunity to have our gallery once again house her creative work. Over the course of her lengthy career, Barbara has amassed a great collection of materials. From the remains of bicycle tires, cocoons, cement tiles, fossils and more the artist had created 100+ ‘musings’ which she generously donated to the CCBC to raise funds.
These small scale, sculptural wall hangings are intended to be unexpected surprises among more obvious decorative elements in one's home. Designed in Barbara’s signature quirky and eclectic, the musings were a huge hit with the community!
The fundraiser may have come and gone, but the commemorative catalogue is a fantastic way to see the inventive variety of Barbara's work.
Montreal born artist Barbara Cohen attended Sheridan College School of Design in Ontario where she majored in textiles. In 1979 she moved to Vancouver and eventually transitioned to focus on body ornament. Creating jewelry offered an intimacy and commitment to refinement that spoke to her sensibilities. Using materials out of context is a consistent aspect of her work. She has been widely exhibited and published both nationally and internationally, won awards and is included in the permanent collection in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.