Zlat Kogan

Born in Moldova, Zlat Kogan refined his artistic skills at the Bender School of Fine Arts, where he cultivated a strong foundation in composition and technique.
After moving to the United States in 2001, Zlat recedes in Glencoe, IL, and has continued developing his passion into distinctive work of art.

 His inspiration comes primarily from his travels along Lake Michigan and throughout the Midwest. Zlat works primarily in oils, pencil and acrylic.

“Art, for me, is an ongoing conversation between memory, place, and emotion.
Whether I’m painting a windswept landscape or a surreal portrait, I refer to a human form the same way as to a landscape. Each piece begins as a response to something felt—often quiet, sometimes unresolved—and unfolds into a visual story.

In my landscapes, I explore the emotional resonance of place. Trees become sentinels of time, skies capture the mood of a moment, and reflections ripple with more than just water—they carry memory. These scenes, grounded in realism but softened by intuition, aim to capture what is both seen and sensed.

My figurative work turns inward, blending the whimsical with the psychological. The figures often exist in symbolic spaces, layered with meaning and mystery. They remain still but invite questions—about identity, containment, freedom, and imagination. I use detail and texture to draw the viewer in while leaving space for personal interpretation.

Through painting, I seek to articulate the inner experience—its complexity, its quiet beauty, its depth. My art is both a mirror and a window: it reflects who I am and reaches out toward shared feeling. It’s how I make sense of the world—and how I invite others to do the same."