About Simon Kogan

Simon and Ecclesiastes

Truth, soul, and unpretentious sophistication characterize the work of artist Simon Kogan. Born in Russia, he received 13 years of classical academic training in Moscow, including an MFA as well as an apprenticeship under renowned sculptor Isaac Brodsky.

Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, he has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work – monumental to miniature – reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the archetypal and renders an ethereal quality highly resonant with the viewer. A Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, Simon Kogan has long shared his artistic passion through the teaching of sculpture, painting, anatomy and drawing in the U.S. and abroad.

To inquire about purchasing or commissioning a work, please email Simon Kogan.

Links

Major Public Works

  • Monumental Portraits for Changsha Normal University, China. 2019
  • “Yiddish” Bronze, Corten Steel. National Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA 2012
  • “80th Anniversary Brookgreen Gardens Medal” Minted Bronze. Brookgreen Gardens, SC 2011
  • “2011 Brookgreen Gardens Medal” Minted Bronze. Brookgreen Gardens, SC 2011
  • “Ark” Wood, Stained Glass, Copper, Light. Temple B’nai Torah, Olympia, WA 2007
  • “Cezanne” Stoneware. Museum Granet, Aix-en-Provence, France 2006
  • “Interactive Sound” Bronze, Steel, Brass. Children’s Hospital, Puyallup, WA 2006
  • “Holocaust Memorial” Bronze, Granite, Stained Glass. Temple Beth Sholom, Spokane, WA 2005
  • “Challenge” Bronze, Granite. Community Youth Services, Olympia, WA 2002
  • “Justice William O. Douglas” Bronze, Concrete. Davis High School, Yakima, WA 2004
  • “Mother Lifting Child” Bronze. Wenatchee Hospital, Wenatchee, WA 2004
  • “Vision” Acrylic on Wood. Olympia Eastside Co-Op, Olympia, WA 2002
  • “Mother Lifting Child” Bronze. Hands-On Children’s Museum, Olympia, WA 2001
  • “Light” Bronze, Wood, Stained Glass. St. Martin’s University, Lacey, WA 2001
  • “Motherhood” Bronze, Granite. City of Olympia, Olympia, WA 1999
  • “World War II Memorial” Bronze, Steel, Granite, Concrete. State of Washington, Olympia, WA 1999
  • “St. Benedict” Bronze. Saint Martin’s Abbey, Olympia, WA 1995
  • “Randolf Collier, Father of American Freeways” Bronze. City of Yreka, Yreka, CA 1995
  • “Memorial Plaque” Bronze, Brass, Wood, Light. Temple Beth Hatfiloh, Olympia, WA 1992
  • “TETRIS” Plaster, Steel, Paint, Papier-Mâché. Moscow History Museum of Figures, Moscow, Russia 1991
  • “Central Town Monument” Concrete. City of Velikiy Ustug, Velikiy Ustug, Russia 1991

Selected Solo Exhibitions

  • Shanghai, China “Two-Man” Show 2023
  • MCCA Gallery, Changsha, Hunan, China 2019-2021
  • M Gallery of Fine Art, Sculpture, Charleston, SC 2010
  • Muse Gallery, Sculpture and Printmaking, Jackson Hole, WY 2006 – 2010
  • State Capitol Building, Paintings, Olympia, WA 1998
  • Sunburst Art Gallery, Sculpture, Painting, Drawings, Prints, Chelan, WA 1995-2009.
  • Seattle Jewish Community Center, Sculpture, Paintings, Mercer Island, WA 1992, 1995
  • Seattle International Trade Centre, Sculpture, Paintings, Seattle, WA 1993

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • “The Art of Medal: Past and Present,” Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC 2011
  • “Out of the Wild: Animals in Sculpture,” Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC 2011
  • “Visiting Master Artists Exhibition,” The Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL 2009
  • “Drawings, Paintings, and Prints by Sculptors,” Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC 2009
  • “New Work,” The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID 2008-2009
  • “Salon D’Automne,” Palais Des Congres, Paris, France 2006
  • “Cezanne in Provence,” Museum Granet, Aix-en-Provence, France 2006
  • “Great American Artists,” Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH 1996-2006
  • “West Edge Sculpture Invitational,” Seattle, WA 2005
  • “Artists Forum International,” Denver, CO 2002
  • “Small is Big,” Galeria D’Art Zero, Barcelona, Spain 2001
  • “Northwest Artists,” Washington State Capitol Museum, Olympia, WA 2000
  • “Artists of America,” Denver, CO 1997-1999
  • “Sculpture,” MAC Gallery, Seattle, WA 1996
  • “Outdoor Sculptures,” I-90 Outdoor Sculpture Gallery, Mercer Island, WA 1995

Education and Honors

  • The House of Representatives, on behalf of the people of the State of Washington, recognizes and honors the life and work of Simon Kogan, 2022
  • National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
  • Fellow, Elected 2010
  • Russian Artists’ Union, Moscow, Russia­­­­­­
  • Registered National Artist, 1985 – 1991
  • Isaac Brodsky Studio
  • Apprenticeship, 1977 – 1991
  • Moscow Pedagogical University, Moscow, Russia
  • Master of Fine Arts, 1985
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1983
  • First Moscow Art School, Moscow, Russia
  • Associate of Fine Arts, 1977

Selected Experience

  • Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Sculptor-in-Residence “Rainey Master Sculptor,” October 2010
  • Instructor, 2008 – Present
  • Scottsdale Artist’s School, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Instructor and Lecturer, 2001 – Present
  • Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
  • Guest Lecturer, 2009, 2010
  • Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
  • Guest Lecturer, 2005, 2009
  • Art Center, Jackson, WY
  • Instructor and Lecturer, 2005 – 2006
  • Provence, France
  • Instructor, Plein Air, oil painting 2004
  • Private Studio, Moscow, Russia
  • Instructor, 1989-1991
  • Moscow Art School, Moscow, Russia
  • Instructor, 1985-1989
  • Tretyakovskaya Gallery, Moscow, Russia
  • Curator’s Assistant, 1977-1979