Who is Solita Cohen de Mishaan (Solita Mishaan)?
Solita Cohen de Mishaan, a Venezuelan-born Colombian national and a collector specializing in Latin American and specifically Colombian art from the 1980s onwards, has made significant contributions to the art world.
Married to the Colombian businessman and fellow art enthusiast Steven Mishaan, she serves as the President of the MISOL Foundation for the arts in Bogotá. This non-profit organization is dedicated to supporting the arts in Colombia and across Latin America.
A renowned figure in the Latin American art scene, Mishaan splits her time between Miami, Florida, and Bogotá, Colombia. She is a member of the international committees of several world-renowned art institutions. These include the Latin American and Caribbean Art Acquisitions Committee of MoMA (New York), the Latin American Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts (Houston), the Latin American Art Acquisitions Committee of the Tate Gallery (London), the International Circle of Friends of the Museo del Prado (Madrid), the International Patronage Council of the Reina Sofía Museum Foundation (Madrid), as well as the honorary committee of the Artbo fair in Bogotá and the acquisitions committee of the Miami Art Museum.
Since 1985, her collection has included works from artists like Miller Lagos, Leyla Cárdenas, Barbarita Cardozo, Nicolás París, Mateo López, Guillermo Kuitca, and Carlos Rojas, among others.
Art is a family passion
Art enthusiast Solita Cohen fondly recalls the enduring influence of her parents, Sadie and Simy Cohen, in sparking her interest in art during her childhood in Caracas, Venezuela. The Cohen family, known for their longstanding dedication to art collection, has acquired a remarkable array of 19th and 20th-century masterpieces, featuring works by renowned artists like Chagall, Renoir, Picasso, Botero, and Manolo Valdés. Inheriting this legacy, Cohen has embarked on her own journey, curating a personal collection of contemporary Latin American art. We had the opportunity to visit her in her Bal Harbour, FL apartment, where she shared cherished memories of her father guiding her through galleries and museums, investing time in appreciating and understanding the nuances of art.
Renowned for her exceptional patronage in the arts, Solita Cohen has played a pivotal role in promoting emerging artists, collaborating with prestigious museums and galleries worldwide. Her mission is clear: to elevate the presence and recognition of Latin American art and artists, placing them in esteemed museum collections, galleries, and art fairs, alongside prominent 20th and 21st-century masterpieces. Solita emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting one's cultural art, citing Brazil as a leading example in this respect.
Her first art acquisition, "La Cruz del Sur" by then-unknown Argentine artist Guillermo Kuitca, showcased her keen eye and intuition. Kuitca's art has since gained international acclaim, featuring in major museums like the Metropolitan Museum NY, MoMA NY, and Reina Sofia, Madrid, and participating in renowned biennials in Venice and Sao Paulo. Cohen regards Kuitca as a continuous inspiration for her collection, admiring his exploration of humanism, suffering, gender conflict, and global issues. She values her close friendship with Kuitca and shares a connection with his artistic journey and success.
Solita Cohen's art collection is a diverse showcase of talent from across Latin America, ranging from established names to emerging artists, spanning Mexico to Argentina. She has a special eye for historical figures in art who may have been overlooked, despite their significant contributions, such as the Brazilian artist Anna Maria Maiolino. Her astute understanding of the Latin American art landscape has led to the creation of an impressive ensemble featuring key figures from multiple artist generations. This collection is a blend of various artistic forms and media, including painting, sculpture, photography, installations, video, and performance art.
Each piece in her collection is a critical component of this carefully selected array, creating a balanced and harmonious dialogue among the works. This careful curation avoids the discord of hasty, subjective acquisitions. The evolving relationship between the art and Cohen is shaped by her current interests and life experiences.
Cohen fondly associates some artworks with significant life events, such as her marriage or the birth of her children, making each piece a marker of her journey as an art patron and individual. She reflects on how contemporary art allows for deep introspection. Cohen finds that sitting before a painting enables her to ponder life, with the artwork serving as a responsive medium. The moment a piece ceases to resonate with her, she considers it to have lost its relevance, demonstrating her dynamic interaction with her collection.
Solita Cohen's art collection thoughtfully highlights various themes, such as the intricate relationship between humans and their environment, exemplified by the works of Guillermo Kuitca from Argentina and Ivan do Espírito Santo from Brazil. A central theme of the collection is memory, portrayed not as nostalgia but as a testament to our identity, achievements, and future direction. This theme is deeply explored by artists like Iñaki Bonillas from Mexico, Daniel Senise and Mateo López from Brazil, and Carlos Rojas from Colombia. The collection also delves into identity issues, aiding Cohen in understanding her own origins and heritage. Her collection offers a unique and distinct perspective, echoing her belief in the importance of knowing one's roots to enrich intellectual and cultural development.
Cohen's role extends beyond being a mere custodian of a specific artistic or cultural model; she is a cultural protagonist, advocating for the creators and inspirers of art. The utopian aspect of her collection, especially in the works of Alfredo Jaar from Colombia and Carlos Garaicoa from Cuba, reflects her dedication and hope for a brighter future in Latin America.
The collection also showcases formal concerns and thought processes inherent to Latin American culture through artists like Marcius Galan from Brazil, Elias Crespin from Venezuela, and Colombian artists Miler Lagos, Leyla Cárdenas, and Barbarita Cardozo. The Mishaan collection encapsulates the Latin American experience, highlighting its beauty, economic challenges, social structure, inherent guilt, and potential for redemption.
Seated in her exquisite dining room with views of the Atlantic, Solita recalls the modifications she had to make to her home to accommodate her collection of large-scale paintings and sculptures. Initially, her architect was hesitant about the structural alterations she proposed, but Solita was adamant, asserting, "My artwork takes priority. If the pieces aren't displayed properly, I won't set foot in the apartment." Eventually, a solution was found, and new floating walls were constructed to exhibit the sizable artworks. The outcome is a comfortable, welcoming apartment that doesn’t feel like a museum, yet showcases the prized pieces of her collection prominently. Guests are treated to a continuous discovery of hidden gems, tucked behind corners and in various rooms, extending even to the outdoor terrace.
Solita's current focus is on her foundation, Misol, which was launched in late 2013. Based in Bogota, Colombia, Misol's objective is to support the growth, spread, and acknowledgment of Latin American art globally. The foundation has initiated awards and scholarships for emerging artists, curators, and book publishers, providing vital support to a sector that often lacks such resources.
Living amidst original art and documents is certainly a privilege for Solita, but her true dedication lies in advancing the recognition of Latin American art and addressing the challenges and needs facing the continent. This commitment is the most significant aspect of Solita Cohen's life.
Selena Mattei
