Steven Cogle

Steven Cogle, a Brooklyn native, began his artistic journey as a child in the 1980s, remixing his favorite superheroes into hip-hop versions that resonated with his identity. Largely self-taught, Cogle’s artistic path mirrors the DIY spirit of hip-hop culture, where emcees and DJs also honed their craft outside of formal education. His journey to becoming a visual artist was not linear, shaped by various occupations, including military service, which informs his outspoken political commentary seen in works like “Detainee.” Cogle’s art layers complex meanings, often reflecting the African diaspora and his own environment growing up in East Flatbush. He describes his style as “tribal Africa crossed with urban blight,” blending cultural heritage with his lived experiences.

While often compared to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cogle insists he is not a continuation of the late artist but part of a broader tradition of overlooked Black artists like Bob Thompson. His work is unapologetically abstract and unorthodox, maintaining his artistic integrity in the face of critique. For Cogle, art is more than a profession—it is life itself, as he believes “every breath proves to be a new brushstroke.”