biography
Paul Cooper has a bent for manipulating readymades, processes and perceptions. A graduate of both The Sydney Gallery School and Sydney College of the Arts as well as holding an Assoc.Dip of Electrical Engineering, Cooper explores relationships technically and conceptually whereby the usual is injected with possibilities that result in unexpected re-purposing. It could be a microwave oven that only operates when the door is open or a musical instrument that is played by a vinyl record. Putting it simply, his artworks are mischievous and absurd.
Here you’ll find artworks that are offbeat and yet unavoidably appealing that expose today’s fast-paced latest-craze next-best-thing as something to either grasp or strangle with both hands.”
curriculum vitae
education
Master of Fine Arts Candidate
— Sydney College of the Arts (SCA)
— University of Sydney Current Student, 2023
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons)
— Sydney College of the Arts (SCA)
— University of Sydney Graduated 2018
— first class honours
— recipient of the SCA Director’s Honours Student Award
Diploma of Visual Arts
— Sydney Gallery School
— NSI Meadowbank TAFE Graduated 2014
Associate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical)
— North Sydney College of TAFE Graduated 1994
exhibitions
upcoming….
April 2023 – “Fractals”, solo experimental show – Our Neon Foe, Leichhardt
art prize finalist
66th Blake Art Prize, CPAC, 2021
In Focus “A Sense of Place” Photographic Competition, Bendigo Bank, Leichhardt 2020
Hornsby Art Prize, 2015
Hidden Sculpture Walk, Rookwood Cemetery, 2014
solo shows
“Loops of Repetition” (collab with Clache Roang), Gaffa Gallery, Sydney CBD, March 2021
“For Two Weeks Only”, The Cranny, AIRSpace Projects, Marrickville. February 2019
“Noise Works” Dedspace Gallery, Rozelle, June 2017
“Black & White Also” Dedspace Gallery, Rozelle, November 2016
“Not Everything Is Either Black Nor White” Dedspace Gallery, Rozelle, April 2016
group shows
“Everything Is Different:, Articulate Performance Space, Leichhardt, January 2023
“Sticks and Stones”, Eramboo Artist Environment, Terrey Hills, April 2022
“Unseen”, group photographic show, Bendigo Bank, Leichhardt, Jan/Feb 2002
“Love Letter – Magic”, 541 Art Space, Sydney CBD. September 2019
“FERMENT”, Articulate Performance Space, Leichhardt, January 2019
“University of Sydney Graduate Degree Show”, SCA Galleries, Rozelle, November 2018
“Constant Craving – In A Material World” Eramboo Artist Environment, Terrey Hills, May-June 2018
” A Novel Script: Text as an Expanded Medium” Verge Gallery, Darlington, February 2018
“Experimentum”, The Bevery, Camperdown, March 2017
See Street Gallery, Meadowbank, 2014
academic engagements
Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
— casual academic (2021 – present)
performed for
Tino Seghal in This Is So Contemporary, p/o Making Art Public at Art Gallery of NSW, 2019
Super Critical Mass in 24 Hour Choir, Art and About Rotunda on Observatory Hill 2017
Super Critical Mass in Actions and Games, Art and About Martin Place Sydney 2015
Super Critical Mass in Actions and Games, Art and About State Library Sydney 2015
Marina Abramovic in Artist in Residence, Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, 2015
Super Critical Mass in Sonic Social, MCA Circular Quay, 2014
Mel O’Callagahan in Parade, BOS19 Cockatoo Is, 2014
Tino Seghal in This Is So Contemporary, Art Gallery of NSW, 2014