Graham Cooper

Graham Cooper was a Taupō-based architect and artist. He trained and worked as an architect, working both domestically and overseas, and maintained an artistic practice throughout his life with his first exhibition on record occurring in 1968. He initially created work in wood and stone, but expanded into bronze, making his first wax work for a bronze sculpture in 1979. He worked with marble, sandstone, soapstone, alabaster, but is said to have preferred to carve into the ‘soft rhyolite rock’, or 'Taupo conglomerate' found in the region.

He is reported to have exhibited in Washington DC in 1984, and to have works in Australia, the UK, Europe, the US and Pacific rim countries. He was actively involved in casting his bronzes at the Art Works Studio Foundry in New Lynn, Auckland, and hand-finished each piece.

An article dated 1999 records that he was by this stage renowned for his bronzes, holding an exhibition at Harrison's Gallery, Tauranga from 8-20 November 1999 with 20 pieces on display.

See also:

• Val Sherriff, ‘Sculpture on Show’, Bay of Plenty Times, 4 Nov 1999