Daily Inspiration: Meet James Cohen

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Cohen.

Hi James, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In the early nineties I was working as an attoorney in the Pentagon after concluding sa career in thre Air Force. I began to take jewelry classes at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA one night a week. I’d change from my suit to jeans and a t-shirt/sweat shirt and take the Metro to Alexandria and walk from the station to the end of King St (main road in Old Town ALexandria) and the Torpedo Factory. After taking classes there for a couple of years and a trip to Penland I decided that that was a better career for me at that stage of my life than ontinuing as an Attorney. My wife, then a PhD student at Howard and I discussed my career path. Fortunately she supported me and I applied to MFA programs. Was accepted at UW Madison and we headed off to Madison the summer my wife graduated with her PhD.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
From a work perspetive there were no problems. I was fortunate that I had my military retirement and a sppouse with an income. Sales are always a problem. At my first National craft show, ACC Atlanta< in the mid 90’s I spent three days, smiling and talking and never sold a thing. Disheartening at best.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Earlyier on I eastablished a motto for my work, “Whimsy-Aesthetic-Function.” I want all of my work to meet those criteria.

I make hollowware, specializing in Judiaca (Jewish liturgical work). I am a “cultural Jew. I respect traditions and appreciate my role in continuing them for future generations. My Judaica represents, I believe, items that push boundaries innthe traditionally staid world of liturgical work.
This is not what I necessarily wanted to do when I began. I wanted to do primarily jewelry. My aesthetic, though pleasing to me is of an earlier generation, think Alexander Calder/Danish Modern/Mid-century modern.From a design/craft perspective I focus on line. I want to make pieces that challenge the viewer on visual and tactile levels while retaing the critical element of function. All my teapots pour easily, spoons and ladles funtion as those of one’s mother. Yet you look at them and say “wow. never seen that before.” To me that is success.
Professionally my greatest success is the book, “Modern Judaica: Today’s Makers, Today’s Sacred Objects” Published in 2022. I approached a publisher’s rep (so I thought) at a show and asked ifbthey ahad published any Judaica books. We talked and a little later he came by my booth, I saw his name tag and th4en ralized he was the publisher. SOme more discussion led to my submitting a proposal and ultimately. about 16 month later the book. I interviewed 53 Judaic artists from around the world as to why they make Judaica and their work. Those transcribed interviews were complimented by 250 4 color images of their work (and one of mine). I stand in awe of those individuals.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m over educated, having four advanced degrees including two terminal degrees. Other than the MFA none of them are relevant to who I am today.

Pricing:

• Range $60-3500 (Judaica)
• If somethingis old and the price of materials has risen, the original price stays the same.
• Commissions accepted

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jimcohenjudaica.com/
• Instagram: @jimcohenmetals @cohenmodernjudaica