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Angel Cotray (b. 1995) is a native New Yorker from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, currently based in the Bronx, NY. She first learned the fundamentals of oil painting during the sophomore year of her undergraduate degree in 2017 while double majoring psychology. Cotray graduated with a BA in studio arts from Hunter College in 2020 just before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down New York City. Since then, she has focused on Figurative Abstraction as a means to cope with the isolation of quarantine. Searching for inner guidance, redemption from the struggles of navigating pessimistic inner dialogue, and mental health are common thematic foundations for each of her vibrant paintings .
“Generally, I am interested in behavioral psychology, it was my second major in college. For me, growing up within a large family enduring mental health issues and generational traumas, my surroundings and adapted behaviors learned from my household family greatly influence my work. I’m committed to honestly expressing my emotions, sharing my mindset as it changes with each finished piece propelling me towards self-awareness and inner growth. Art is therapy, and the paintbrush is my therapist. Ultimately, I hope to create a sense of community with my audience, connecting with each individual on a personal level, as though I am helping them get through their hardships by expressing my own vulnerabilities.”
– Angel Cotray
For more information about Angel, check out her Instagram and website.
