~ Follow on Social Media ~
⊿
Daniel Cosentino (b. 1974, New Jersey, USA) is a multimedia artist and educator with a career shaped by art, education, and global experiences. His work spans photography, sculpture, and mixed media, focusing on themes of latent communication, symbolism, and the tension between organic and synthetic forms. Drawing from personal history, philosophical inquiry, and art historical references, Cosentino integrates traditional and contemporary techniques to explore the evolving nature of visual art.
Cosentino’s education includes a BA in Philosophy from Rutgers University, a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Arts from SACI in Florence, and an MFA in Imaging Arts/Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. Early in his career, he worked as a museum preparator at the George Eastman Museum and managed Jackson Hole Custom Color Lab, experiences that rooted his practice in both technical skill and historical knowledge.
For over a decade, Cosentino lived and worked in Europe, teaching in RIT’s global programs and holding leadership roles such as Director for Media Programs and Vice President for Academic Affairs. His time abroad deepened his perspective on art’s role across cultures and led to numerous collaborations, including National Endowment for the Arts grants and Soros Foundation projects.
His art has been exhibited in prominent juried shows, including the New Jersey Arts Annual, The Royal Photographic Society International Photography Exhibition, and venues across the U.S. and Europe. His recent work includes site-specific installations and sculptures that explore the interplay between natural and constructed environments.
Currently based in New Jersey, Cosentino continues to exhibit internationally and develop new projects. His work reflects a lifetime of artistic practice, shaped by diverse roles and experiences, while maintaining a focus on meaningful engagement with art and culture.
⊿
I search for purpose in making, exploring latent communications and the tension between intended messages and hidden symbols. Rooted in personal experiences—loss, memory, and connection to the environment—my work spans various mediums, with photographic discourses remaining central to my practice. I integrate traditional techniques with contemporary approaches, including additive manufacturing, to investigate the evolving nature of image-making and its relationship to meaning.
Through my process, I uncover double meanings, where one thing reveals itself to carry an entirely separate significance. In this way, I explore the ideas of latent imagery—the obvious and the profound, the banal and the exalted—existing side by side. Simple things become complex, and complex things become simple, depending on the lens through which they are viewed.
This focus shifts from season to season or year to year. At times, I’m drawn to the beautiful and aesthetic qualities of image-making; at others, it’s the relationship of the medium to the idea that takes precedence. My inquiry is rooted in self and object, employing video, performance, and sculptural installation to explore identity through relationships and narratives. Symbols and symbolism play a key role, creating a tapestry of meaning and interpretation through associations with historical forms, particularly Minimalism and Romanticism.
The line between art and life is where the true danger lies—a place where personal stories and biographical references blur into the work, challenging boundaries and interpretations. It is here that the rewards are found, in the tension between the observer’s understanding and the artist’s intent, within the evolving dialogue of contemporary art practice.
⊿
Contact: DANIEL COSENTINO, cosentinoworks@gmail.com