As a Sonoma County based Architect/ Builder for over 40 years Alan B. Cohen has always been attracted to contrasts; new and old, created and found, weathered/rough adjacent to highly finished.  In his architectural work Alan often incorporated salvaged objects in new buildings, finding that it added character.

His sculptural art fabrications are informed by that aesthetic and start with items he finds washed up on West Coast beaches. These objects generally speak to him about a direction or suggest an idea. He then transforms these materials in his Sea Ranch or Healdsburg shop. He adds old fishing tackle, rusted wire, tools, brushes, and other recycled objects to create birds, underwater creatures, masks and abstract pieces. Some pieces are simple and elegant, others whimsical and fantastical.

Growing up in Princeton, NJ, his father made fine wood furniture in the style of George Nakashima. His mother was a sculptor producing abstract and figurative pieces in stone, bronze and wood.  In high school and college Alan worked in construction and cabinet shops and received his Architect and Contractor licenses in California shortly after graduating from the Architecture School at the University of Michigan.  Alan’s wife is an accomplished painter and sculptor whose work is featured in Sonoma County galleries.  Since designing and building a home and studio in The Sea Ranch in 2022, Alan has pursued driftwood art fabrications in earnest. 

Alan’s assemblages can be found locally at The Gallery at Marina Square.  His work is also carried in the Oli Gallery in Guerneville, Studio 391 in Gualala, Lansing St. Gallery in Mendocino, and Gallery 205, 205 Center St. Healdsburg.  Alan is a featured artist in the Mark Makers’ Quarterly volume #3, Winter 2025.