Artist Profile - Len W. Cooper
For many years Len has been planning to make his love of sculpturing in warm glass become a reality. As his successful business career was wound down in preparation for retirement he became even more determined to give yet another venture the benefit of a lifetime of expertise gained through his involvement in the visual arts.
Joan, Len’s wife has been a practising visual artist since 1980. Together they had been involved in clothing design and manufacturing. Much experience in the Visual Arts Industry had been gleaned from the many years of their mutual involvement. Honorary membership of The Half Dozen Group of Artists was awarded to Len for his voluntary service to the group. He has also been an exhibiting financial member where he was involved in a number of the group’s annual exhibitions presenting a limited number of his unique glass sculptures. In 2011 & 2012 he was a successful entrant in the Winton Waltzing Matilda Exhibition. This event is heavily selected from entrants throughout Australia. Len received a “Highly Commended Award”.
Twenty years prior to retirement Len had developed an interest in the design and assembly of leadlight windows and tiffany lamps, particularly in conjunction with the restoration of the ironic old Queenslander homes. Following his desire to create art pieces using warm glass techniques he subsequently resigned from his accounting practice and replaced his future retirement with his passion for warm glass sculpturing. For a decade prior to retirement armed with his years of experience in the design and installation of decorative glass pieces he now boasts four sole exhibitions and has been invited to enter many group exhibitions. In 2011 Len was invited to enter two high profile exhibitions – “The Rotary Spectacular” and “The Soroptimist International” both in support of Charitable Organisations.
Over recent years Len has been involved with a respected group of like-minded artists – “Australian Active Artists” (AAA) who are dedicated to educating the community through their “Artists in Action”. This is a volunteer fellowship group of practicing artists who enjoy facilitating the visual arts in the local community. When invited, “Artists in Action” pride themselves on their technical ability to satisfy queries for the benefit of the visiting public at charitable fundraising events.
Recently Len & Joan and were invited by the Roma on Bungil Gallery and the Maranoa Regional Council to mount two major sole exhibitions. The exhibitions were the first in the series:-
• “The Essence of Australia from Desert to Sea”, 54 Impressionist Landscape paintings and 30 warm glass sculptures in April, 2012, Opened by Her Excellency, The Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO;
• A second in the series “The Essence of Australia -Little Gems” at Dogwood Crossing, Miles Cultural Centre in December, 2012 for the Miles Christmas Festival;
• The Goodiwindi Regional Council to present a third, "The Essence of Australia-A Changing Palette” at the Texas Regional Art Gallery opening 30 June, 2013.
Len operates from “Cootharaba” Studio at Annerley, Brisbane. To visit the studio Ph (07) 38924447 and arrange an appointment. Len’s glass creations are in demand. Many claim pride of place in commercial and private collections both in Australia and overseas.
Brief Recent History
The Rotary Art Spectacular
The Soroptimist International Exhibition H
Historical Open day at St Mary’s Kangaroo Point Parklands
Opening Exhibition at Government House 100 year celebration of Fernberg Residence
Cootharaba Studio Annual Studio Exhibitions
Half Dozen Group of Artists Annual Exhibitions
Winton Waltzing Matilda Outback Centre Exhibition
Joan, like many children during the war years, was born literally with a creative ability. Most children during the World War II era were encouraged...
For many years Len had been planning to make his love of sculpturing in warm glass become a reality. As his successful business career was wound down...