In the depths of her emotional solitude during the pandemic, artist Lauren Cohen embarked on a creative venture, making fictional characters who are in pursuit of finding love. Brian emerged as a composite embodiment of all that Cohen cherishes and fears in the opposite sex and in herself. Rooted in her personal odyssey to mend deep-seated traumas, the artist explores love’s intricate dynamics.

For Spring Break Art Show, Cohen’s character, Brian, is having an estate sale. There will be over 100 ceramic household objects, each imbued with the essence of Brian. Visitors are invited to rummage through various oddities that have been born out of the interior spaces of the artist’s psyche. A range of Brian’s collections will be on display. Brian is a single man over 50, who has turned to the comfort of processed meats and strategy games to cope with his lack of companionship. He loves Martha Stewart, Food and Wine magazine, men’s butts and cooking, but doesn’t have anyone to share life with. He still truly believes in love but is frustrated by his loneliness. The estate sale will have many unique items: a collection of heart-shaped-rocks that Brian found on solo hikes, a grouping of sporks, games, an “ass” ash tray, plate ware, tea sets that bear a striking resemblance to Brian and his deceased German Shepherd dog and a ceramic glock pistol that looks like ground beef. The artist began seeing the parallels in her own desires and flaws and worried about the sadness that this imaginary man felt. 

Within the realm of material possessions, the adage of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” resounds with profound truth, reminding us of the innate subjectivity that governs our perception of worth. No one will know if Brian is dead or alive during the sale, which leads one to question what someone creates, collects or values during their lifetime.

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