Adam Cohen was born in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, in 1959.
Accepted into the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1977, Cohen initially leaned towards figurative images inspired by artists like Giorgio de Chirico and Max Beckmann. After earning his BFA, Cohen honed his skills in New York, working as an international illustrator and developing a strong sense of formal clarity.
In 2012, he transitioned to abstract painting, characterized by bold strokes, intricate tapestries, and a play of vivid contrasts. Cohen's artistic evolution continued with thicker layers of pigment, vibrant color contrasts, and intricate textures created with a palette knife.
Cohen's art, described by critic Carter Ratcliff as "a sudden burst of light," invites viewers into a visually energetic and harmonious realm. Ratcliff highlights Cohen's deliberate embrace of risk and tension, fostering ambiguity that invites diverse responses to his compelling works.