Stephen Cohen, a long-time Los Angeles gallerist and the founder of one of Southern California’s most enduring art fairs, PhotoLA, died on February 25th, 2021 from complications related to cancer at the age of 72.
A charismatic fixture on the LA art beat, Cohen quietly slipped away without getting a chance to say goodbye, leaving behind an important forum for photography that he helmed for decades. It was an unexpected departure for the lovable hypochondriac, as his quick exit came as a surprise to many in the art world. To the people who held him dear, it was a gut-punch; and for those who had their criticisms, it surely served as a blunt reality check. Either way, his loss can’t help but be compounded by the weight of this very strange time of adversity and affliction. Now more than usual, the memory of his uninhibited, wide-eyed curiosity for photography is a reminder of the bonding power of art and an occasion to reflect on the community that he helped foster around it.
Stephen on the left, with his brother.
Cohen was a centralizing figure in the photo world for a long stretch of time, a unique personality in a field full of real characters. He started organizing art fairs in the early 90s, beginning with Photo LA which was the first and is still the longest running photographic art fair in Los Angeles. At a time when photography was still considered a second cousin to art with a capital “A,” it began as a small, intimate event with just 25 vendors gathered for a weekend affair at Butterfield’s & Butterfield’s on Sunset Blvd. It grew quickly, more than doubling in size, to become a standout on the art fair circuit, one of very few on the West Coast that was truly global in scope and that managed to make a real stand long-term. It saw many iterations with stints at the Santa Monica Civic Center, The LA Mart, and Barker Hanger (where it still takes place), and spawned many offshoots: Photo Santa Fe, Photo San Francisco, Photo NY, Photo Miami, and ArtLA. His fairs cemented a local tradition — 2022 will mark the 30th anniversary of PhotoLA — with Cohen usually at the heart of it, drawing notables from near and far. Ultimately, his efforts laid the groundwork for what would become the month of photography and fixed January as art fair season in the City of Angels.
Long before the fairs though, Cohen was a young, aspiring creative from New York City who heard the call of Hollywood. Fresh from Brooklyn College with a degree in art and photography, he headed out west in 1969 to study cinema at the famed USC Film School. There are mythic stories of his early days in LA, making ends meet as a driver for big stars like Barbara Streisand and Leslie Ann Warren. With the movie industry always at his front door, the impulse for storytelling never really left him. Eventually though, as he set out to establish himself as a photographer, he landed in the business of collecting and reselling photography books, and eventually prints. It wasn’t terribly lucrative, but he loved the hunt and turning up works by unknown and forgotten artists. By 1979, he dipped his toes into the LA gallery scene assuming the role of director at the artist cooperative, Cameravision, before returning to private sales two years later and taking the show on the road. From 1985 to 1991, Cohen crisscrossed the country bringing his discoveries to curators and collectors in smaller art markets like Kansas City, St Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, and Minneapolis. He also spent a good chunk of time in New York, selling downtown artists to uptown galleries for a premium. He was content being the middleman and tickled by the reputation he garnered for being able to sell almost anything.
True to form, Cohen was always making a deal. Whether it was selling a print or a booth, he couldn’t help but see opportunity all around. His style as a dealer could be a bit cheeky, but he was really earnest about the work he loved. Genuine excitement pierced through every transaction. Whether he was looking at emerging talent or old favorites, he saw it all with fresh eyes like it was the first time. He was a rare bird, though, and he ruffled some feathers along the way, usually in such an ingenuous way that made it difficult to stay mad. He could pitch a fit for seemingly random things — a phone bill, a lost post-it note, Fox News — and the smallest annoyances could send him into a glorious tizzy! Most anyone that worked with him at his eponymous gallery — first, in a tiny, second-floor space in a courtyard-style complex and later at the well-known storefront on Beverly Blvd. — got a taste of his mercurial temperament, but could also attest to the warm, familial vibe of the place.
Stephen in Miami Beach, FL, at the Miami Fairs, circa 2015
The gallery, where he was neighborhood institution for over 20 years, championed the work of numerous distinguished artists with shows of vintage works by popular masters like Arthur Rothstein, Dick Arentz, Tom Arndt, Horace Bristol, Ida Wyman, Louis Faurer, Edmund Teske, Tseng Kwong Chi, Daido Moriyama, Walker Evans, Ken Ohara, and Vivian Maier. His program also highlighted contemporary works with a broad mix of heavyweights including: Lynn Geesaman, Luis González Palma, Lauren Greenfield, Nick Brandt, Victor Cartagena, Pieter Hugo, Amy Arbus, Olaf Otto Becker, Lori Nix, David Levinthal, Anthony Friedkin, Roger Ballen, Arthur Taussig, Judy Gelles, Larry Clark, Larry Fink, and Siri Kaur.
Stephen was well-known for his sweet tooth!
While the gallery was often a hub for artists to drop in for a tour and a chat, it also served as the headquarters for Cohen’s fair operations and was the nexus of all kinds of cross-pollination. From a celebrity guest host to a hired hand, a frequenter with a passing fancy, or even those at the tippy top of photo world food chain, Cohen seemed to know everyone. In its heyday, the gallery was an unusually welcoming clubhouse and Cohen was like a sheepdog nudging acquaintances together. He loved to be in the mix and make things happen. A creature of habit, he took pleasure in the regular ritual of producing fairs and exhibitions — the flurry of installations, hobnobbing at the openings, even the de-installs after grueling week-long fairs, and probably most of all, the promise of rewarding rendezvous around breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
The only thing that captivated Cohen’s attention as much as art, was food (and possibly politics which he frequently failed to keep under his hat). But, any irascibility could be overcome by his passion for the tastiest grub and his schedule was often built around what and where to eat. Favorite spots figured prominently in his life like good old friends, and it made no difference if they were fancy or down-home. He made a practice of patronizing his most beloved eateries everywhere he went. It might be El Coyote down the street for an impromptu happy hour; Enriquetta’s on the last day of the fairs in Miami; or a mission to Katz’ and Zabar’s during the New York art fairs in the spring. The delight and comfort he took in the routine of sharing a meal made him relatable, unapologetically human, and imminently likable.
Although Cohen was endeared to many and connected all sorts of people, he himself lived a pretty solitary existence day-to-day with the exception of his adorable little pup, Fez. He never partnered and mostly made do alone, but he was always rich with the company of his prints and books, and a strong sense of purpose. He could seem uneasy in his own skin sometimes yet strangely fond of his own personal weltschmerz, almost enchanted by the darkness.
Sweet and coy, stubborn and indelicate, a hopeless grump and still an unflappable optimist, Cohen got away with being a happy recluse and still managed to be the glue that kept a big group of photo-loving friends and colleagues coming together year after year. For a lot of photophiles and fairgoers, it might be hard to picture the crowd without him when the world opens up again. While his absence will certainly be felt, especially by his favorite brother, Michael, he will still be with us and his legacy will carry on in the community he helped make possible.
Photos provided by close friends and family.
This is a great, honest tribute to Stephen. I knew Stephen a few years before I came on board to help launch artLA. He was one of a kind, I vividly remember some lunches at El Coyote. Conversations could swing wildly from political outrage to a twinkle in his eye talking about the next art fair. Though I only worked for Stephen for a short time, I enjoyed working with him and I found him to be a lovable sort. There was also a particular loyalty shown by those who worked for him, he created a certain kind of family camaraderie with all its complications and warmth. I’ll miss him, I have only fond memories.
Wonderful tribute to a special man. Thank you
…a simply wonderful human being.
Thank you Shelly for this tribute to Steve. It is still hard to believe that he is gone. We had a lot of history together and a lot of meals together. And some arguments and laughs. Steve was a good soul who offered many of us the opportunity to do business in LA. I will miss seeing Steve at the fairs. At least he got to see Trump lose the election. Too many friends and colleagues leaving us way too soon. Appreciate your friends and family while you can.
Brian, I really enjoyed leaning so much about STEPHEN from your tribute. I remember seeing him at many events in both LA and NYC. We spoke a few times and I always liked his sharp edges.
May he Rest In Peace and thank you.
Steve was a good soul, gruff with a heart of gold.
A one of a kind personality . A real character but a mensch .
I will miss his presence in the community he loved
Rest In Peace dear Steve.
None of us will ever forget you
The world is a sadder place without your light
What a great tribute, Shelley. So wonderful to read all that Stephen accomplished. Sad that he is gone – Stephen was so full of life, and will be missed by many. I’m happy at least that we can remember the great times working with him at the gallery and at the art fairs. Stephen really helped create an entertaining, family dynamic. Thanks to you too, Tulsa, for publishing this tribute.
This is a great remembrance of Stephen Cohen, thank you.
Steve was a lovable caustic photography dealer, who through his gallery and the creation of Photo LA and other fairs, established an enduring forum for photographic exhibition, acquisition and always lively discussion.
He enjoyed being part of the group of talented, dedicated dealers who shared his passion, love and commitment to a medium the world came to recognize as a fine art.
Combative and contentious, he embraced difference, rebellion and outsiders. Clever and irreverent, with a soft spot for the underdog, often railing against the injustices in the world (real or imagined), he was happiest, like Weegee, “comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable”.
His vision, enthusiasm, persistence and imagination will be missed.
Such a lovely and accurate tribute to a true character. He was a unique man who had an impact on so many. He brought people together and never shied away from stirring up all kinds of feelings. I remember him as a gruff but caring person who treated his friends like family. He will be missed.
Stephen, thank you for your love of photography, and for your boundless curiosity and enthusiasm. I will never forget you. A lovely tribute!
I have known Stephen for over 30 years. He gave me my first show in LA and he always made me smile. He and Beverly will always have a warm spot in my heart. He was funny, knowledgeable, always kvetching, and I truly believe he “cracked himself up.” He will be missed. Photo LA will not be the same without finding him in his booth holding court with some many different folds. A true mensch for sure and I will miss his smile and humor. Thank you Steven for all the years of joy you gave people. Rest in peace my friend and am sorry we did not get our dinner this last year.
Steve was a dear friend to our family over the years. I met him in 1963 in a winter camp, but didn’t really get to know him until the 1980’s when he took over our living room once or twice a year on the “crisscrossing” trips referred to in the wonderful article. I’ll always think of him with admiration for his talents (again, he was a wonderful photographer himself) and for his unique personality, and will miss him more and more as the years go by.
So, you are the good friend he stayed with over the years! He spent much time talking about the times he stayed with your wonderful family!
I met Steve in the 1960’s in the Art Department at Brooklyn College. There we spent many hours a day in painting class and photography class and watching sit-in’s and protests from the classroom window. We had several prominent professors teaching us who were only seen sporadically in class. No one knew where they were when they weren’t in the classroom. We were good friends. When Steve moved to LA, we saw each other when Steve flew into NYC. I remember Steve’s apartment on the Upper Westside, his mom and brothers! Steve and I shared many issues and we talked about a darker shared past!! The last time I saw Steve, he said, “You are my oldest friend!” To which I replied, “You must mean your longest friendship!” We laughed! He then made a curious statement which I wish I questioned!” He said, “You know, I’m not afraid to die.” At least now I know he was at peace with his passing. I will so miss his gentle ways. I will miss his dark humor, which we both shared. I will miss his intellect and his warmth. Most of all I will miss his eyes, his gaze, his laugh and his warmth. Farewell Steve.