In reaction to the painterly, gestural aspects of 1950s Abstract Expressionism, a number of painters working in the early 1960s became interested in structures, systems and methods of notation. Such codes were a feature of sixties culture, influenced by new developments in science and technology. Cohen explained that in works such as ‘Conclave’ he wanted to find a visual metaphor for the way the mind works. The forms are inspired by the structure of the brain and also relate to computer wiring. Cohen is a leading exponent of computer art.