Barthelomew (Bart) Cooper is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California, with roots in West Africa, Liberia. From a young age, Cooper was inspired by the vibrant colors and breathtaking scenery of his homeland, leading him to visually record the world around him. In the face of civil war, Cooper immigrated to the United States at the young age of six years old. Where he would later study fine art, sculpture, and graphic design.
Cooper’s work is heavily influenced by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, American illustrator Norman Rockwell, and American artist Ernie Barnes. His signature mixed medium, acrylic style merges traditional African values with a westernized American culture, and has gained him a number of celebrity clients and private collectors both nationally and internationally.
In Cooper’s own words, “I am a creator, put here to challenge physical, mental, and spiritual growth through my art. The foundation of my work is all about the message of love. Each piece engages in a conversation with the viewer’s soul, provokes thought, changes the narrative, and inspires evolution.” Cooper’s work is a reflection of his own experiences growing up with customary African values in a westernized American culture, and invites viewers to engage with and consider the intersections between tradition and technology.
