Joseph Cochran II (b. 1990, East Harlem, New York City) is a lens-based visual artist, archivist, and researcher. His work can be described as the study of societies and their frameworks, life’s temporality, and enduring inquiries into migration and its struggles. Drawing inspiration from his formative years, Cochran’s practice explores advanced, capitalist societies, the methods they use to negotiate order, and the manner with which we engage
Employing photography as his principal mode of expression, Cochran delves into moments of temporal flux, migration, and societal meta-morphosis. Embarking on extensive research voyages across continents, Cochran intertwines artistic exploration with personal reflection against the backdrop of the global stage. Cochran’s investigations into less frequent, often hermetic communities, tie to Cochran’s origins in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Through his work, which encompasses photographs, video, archival presentation, re-presentation, and 3-dimensional works, Cochran deftly blurs the lines between archival documentation and personal narrative, encouraging viewers to scrutinize their perspectives and preconceptions about the world and self.
Cochran’s exhibitions, showcased nationally and internationally, including recent presentations at Frieze's Expo Chicago and the Malta Biennale, underscore his commitment to interrogating established narratives and unveiling the complexities of contemporary existence. His works are included in collections such as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture(New York, NY), the Langston Hughes Library (Queens, NY), and the evergreen State College Library (Olympia, WA), solidifying his position a discerning commentator on the human condition in the modern era.
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