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THE ARTIST’S STATEMENT
The human figure has always had a strong influence on my work. I may depict a person as they really look and try to set a certain mood or abstract my work to the point where the figure is barely recognizable using it only as a compositional springboard. Although my portraits are primarily done in oil, I have mixed different media in attempt to focus on the surface of the painting and the work that was involved in creating a particular piece. The figure is a passage way into everything that defines our existence, a way to look into ourselves, a familiar icon that can tell any amount of stories visually.
BIOGRAPHY
A portrait and abstract artist, Ben Cooper is influenced by a wide range of styles and his environment. Upon request, he has done commissioned portraits in different media and styles of art. He has also created portraits in abstraction using line, color and arrangement to capture his subject’s personality. Born in Fairfield, Ohio in 1977, Ben was influenced by his mother’s drawings. Having two years of formal training in the Design and Architecture Program at the University of Cincinnati, reinforced his inherited artistic talent. His interest lies in portraiture and the human figure. He continued his career by showing his work at various galleries in Cincinnati; in both multi-artist and solo shows. Ben's work has also branched out into other genres such as graphic design. While he has taken a traditional approach, he has worked on many projects for Habitat Skateboards, producing designs that have been distributed globally. Ben has donated his talent to community organizations, such as IMPACT Over the Rhine and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. He has also donated his time to a community organization focused on art education and therapy of the mentally and physically handicapped, called Visionaries and Voices. Ben is a multi-medium artist, working with a wide range of materials including; oil and acrylic paint, graphite, beeswax, pastel, charcoal and india ink. |
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Ben Cooper - 28 Park Rd., Ft. Wright - Ben Cooper Art |
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SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2007 KraftHaus Cincinnati 2004 Mullane’s Cincinnati 2001 Red Top Gallery Cincinnati
GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2006 ADC, The Pendleton Annex Cincinnati 2006 The Greenwich Cincinnati 2006 Mac Worthington’s Gallery Columbus 2002 Mockbee Gallery Cincinnati 2001 Red Top Gallery Cincinnati 2001 Embryo Gallery Cincinnati
PUBLISHED All About Kids August, 2004
COMMISSIONS 2007 Molecular Research Center, Inc Catalogue Graphics
2005 Eden Park Mural
2002 - Present Habitat Skateboard Company Skateboard Graphics
2001 – Present Various Portraits and Landscapes (mediums include: graphite, oil and acrylic)
VOLUNTEER 2004 Visionaries & Voices Cincinnati 2004 Impact Over The Rhine Charity Auction Cincinnati EDUCATION 1997 – 1999 University of Cincinnati Design and Architecture Program |
