Erika Cosby Biography
Erika Cosby (Erika Ranee Cosby) is a contemporary American painter and was an adjunct professor of Art at New York University (2012–2013). She is also known as the daughter of philanthropist Camille Cosby and comedian Bill Cosby.
Erika Cosby Age/ How Old is Erika Cosby?
Cosby was born on April 8, 1965, in Los Angeles, California. She is 58 years old as of 2023. Furthermore, she celebrates her birthday on April 8 every year.
Erika Cosby Family
Cosby is an American painter and the eldest daughter of comedian Bill Cosby and philanthropist Camille Cosby. Bill Cosby: A renowned comedian, actor, and author. He has faced numerous sexual assault allegations, and in 2018, was convicted of sexual assault. In 2022, his conviction was overturned.
Camille Cosby: A philanthropist and former television producer. She has been a vocal defender of her husband, despite the allegations against him.
Siblings
- Erinn Cosby: A television producer and writer.
- Evin Cosby: A singer and actress.
- Ennis Cosby (deceased): The only son of Bill and Camille Cosby. He was murdered in 1997 at the age of 27.
- Ensa Cosby (deceased): A singer and actress who died in 2018 at the age of 44 from kidney disease.
Erika Cosby has spoken out publicly about the allegations against her father, saying that she believes he is innocent. She has also been critical of her mother’s role in defending him.
Erika Cosby Education
Erika attended Wesleyan University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. Erika later attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1989. Later on, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1991 with a Master of Fine Arts. After completing her MFA, she attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine for a nine-week summer residency course.
Erika Cosby Bill Cosby
In 2010, numerous women came forward with accusations against Erika’s father, Bill Cosby. These allegations ranged from attempted assault to rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, and sexual battery. Some also accused him of child sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, although Cosby denied these claims.
By that time, the statute of limitations had expired in most cases. Following a year-long trial, Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault in September 2018 and received a sentence of three to ten years in prison.
Erika Ranee Cosby
Ranee Cosby is an American painter, the eldest daughter of comedian Bill Cosby, and philanthropist Camille Cosby. She was born on April 8, 1965, in Los Angeles, California. Cosby’s work is often described as figurative and expressionistic, often exploring themes of identity, race, and family.
She has exhibited her work widely in the United States and abroad, including at the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. In addition to her painting, Cosby is also a writer and educator. She has taught at several institutions, including the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the University of California, Berkeley.
Erika Cosby Artistic Career
Erika is known for her focus on abstract art, particularly in exploring image perception and challenging negative stereotypes in the media that distort the portrayal of people, especially within African American culture. Employing satire, metaphor, and allegory, her work delves into the impact of these distorted images.
Her artistic achievements include receiving a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting and serving as an artist in residence at the Abrons Arts Center from 2009 to 2010. Additionally, she was awarded a studio grant from The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation in 2011.
In 2012, Erika participated in a group show at New York’s Family Business titled “It’s a Small, Small World,” curated by Jayson Musson and Marilyn Minter. During 2012 and 2013, she worked as an adjunct art professor at New York University alongside notable artists such as Huma Bhabha, Dike Blair, and Wayne Koestenbaum.
In July 2015, Erika curated a pop-up group art show named “Eye Contact” at artist Jennifer Coates’ Brooklyn studio. The exhibition featured works by Erika as well as pieces by other artists including Rina Banerjee, Ellen Gallagher, Nina Chanel Abney, and Ella Kruglyanskaya, among others.
Erika’s artwork has graced various galleries, including SALTWORKS Contemporary Art, the Arlington Arts Center, Slate Gallery, Artspace in New Haven, the Allegra LaViola Gallery, and The Last Brucennial. Furthermore, she actively supports A Long Walk Home, a Chicago-based art-centered program raising awareness about sexual assault.
Erika Cosby Social Media Platforms
Erika is not on any social media platform.