The Wire Mesh Sculpture of Randy Cooper

From clay, glass and wood to even ice, there's hardly a limit on creativity when it comes to materials that can be used for sculpting. Depending on the medium, sculptures can appeal to the different senses or elicit specific qualities that add dimension to any room or space. See how Eden Gallery artist Randy Cooper uses wire mesh sculpting to allow for intricate and detail oriented sculptures that tell a story of their own. 

Randy Cooper comes from a family of artists. His mother was a master carver of birds and gunstocks, and one of his sisters is an accomplished painter, sculptor, and author, but it wasn’t until Randy was nearly 50 that he discovered his penchant for art. After working successfully with clay, artificial stone, and bronze in a 6 week long art course, Cooper began to craft intriguing and magical sculptures in wire mesh. Each piece of “shadow sculpture” is uniquely created. Randy eschews molds to do all his work with his hands and a few simple, handmade tools in order to give each sculpture meticulously accurate precision. Cooper’s ability to see the subtleties in the human form makes his art truly stand out.

These forms, created in wire screens, cast shadows on the wall that are oftentimes more intricate than the sculpture itself adding an extra layer of depth and dimension to the art. Each sculpture tells a unique story through the shapes created by the interplay of light and shade. Often taking long hours or even days to complete a single sculpture, this phenomenon is a testament to the level of intricate planning involved in his craft. The high level of precision and skill maintained while manipulating the wire into the desired shapes, is nothing short of remarkable. Whether it be a sculpture of the female body like his sculpture ‘Eve’ or a mythical creature such as his Mermaid sculpture, he truly captures the essence of movement, structure and shadows. 

Randy Cooper's shadow sculptures have been sweeping the art world for the past few years and highlight countless private collections worldwide. His work has been described as "intriguing and magical," and it is clear that he is a champion of nuanced detail. Discover more artworks by Eden’s extravagant artists at the Eden Gallery website, or visit a gallery near you today.