Leonard Cohen, Painter

IF THERE WERE NO PAINTINGS
If there were no paintings in the world,
Mine would be very important.
Same with my songs.
Since this is not the case, let us make haste to get in line,
Well towards the back.
Sometimes I would see a woman in a magazine
Humiliated in the technicolour glare.
I would try to establish her
In happier circumstances.
Sometimes a man.
Sometimes living persons sat for me.
May I say to them again:
Thank you for coming to my room.
I also loved the objects on the table
Such as candlesticks and bowls.
From a mirror on my desk
In the very early morning
I copied down
Hundreds of self-portraits.
The Curator has called this exhibition
Leonard Cohen Artworks
I call my work
Acceptable Decorations.
- Leonard Cohen

Most people know Leonard Cohen as a singer and a poet, but few know of him as a painter. Robert Genn, the celebrated British Columbia artist, attends a Leonard Concert and explores Cohen's creative vision in his Painter' Keys.
. Click here.

To view a few of Cohen's pictures, please click here to be taken to The Gallery Lounge.