Michael Cooper is an incomparable artist who relentlessly challenges and expands any preconceived boundaries between art, craft, and design with his feet firmly planted in all worlds. Cooper’s outrageous contraptions command and merit our high regard, inciting curiosity and pure wonder in those who experience them. Suspended between technological invention and creative genius, his work is accessible to all, yet like none seen before. Recognized for its flawless precision and craftsmanship, his sculpture continues to be admired by those who appreciate his brilliance of design and the junction between art and science. Cooper is completely driven in his practice and expends huge amounts of time conjuring ideas and bringing them to fruition.
JoAnn Edwards
Exhibitions/Bio
ONE-MAN EXHIBITIONS
2007
Michael Cooper, Quicksilver Mine Co.Gallery,
Forestville, CA
1993
Recent Work, Union Gallery, San Jose State
University, San Jose, CA
1982
Michael Cooper, The Art Gallery of Western
Australia, Perth, Australia
1978
Michael Jean Cooper, Redding Museum,
Redding, CA
1977
Gun Series, Union Gallery, San Jose State
University, San Jose, CA
1977
Michael Jean Cooper, Central Oregon
Community College, Bend, Oregon
1976
Michael Jean Cooper, Boehm Gallery,
Palomar College, San Marcos, CA.
1969
Cooper Super Thing, Oregon College of
Education, Monmouth, Oregon
1968
Smoothies and Bumpies in Kinetic Sculpture,
Master Exhibition, San Jose State College
Awards
GRANTS & AWARDS
1998
American Woodworker Magazine, First Place
Professional Woodworker Award, for Gunshy sculpture, Dec. 1998
1993
President’s Award for Outstanding Service,
De Anza College, Cupertino, California
1992
Art of California Magazine Discovery Award – Silver
1990
Sonoma County Woodworkers’ Association
Award of Excellence
1979-80
Fellow in Sculpture; American Academy in Rome
1979
Fellowship; Crafts Council of Australia,
Craftsman in Industry
1978
Craftsmen’s Fellowship Grant; National Endowment
for the Arts
1977
SECA Award, Society for the Encouragement of
Contemporary Art, San Francisco Museum of
Modern Art
1974
Professional Development Grant, Foothill College
1972
Foothill College Innovations Committee Grant
1969
Eisner Prize for Sculpture, University of
California, Berkeley
1967-68
San Jose State College Associated Student
Body Scholarship
1966
Graduate Research Grant, San Jose State College
1966
Graduated Dean’s Scholar, San Jose State College
