Book Review: Workmanship of Risk: Sculpture by Michael Cooper

Incredible retrospective

This large format 288-page hardcover is an incredible retrospective on Michael Cooper of Sebastopol, California, USA.

The book looks at his art education, career and the sculptures he has created over five decades. There are more than 300 huge photos included in the book. I'm not sure if that number includes the many sketches and designs that are also included.

The book starts with several pages of text talking about Cooper's background, education, views, why he chose to create sculpture art and of course career.

Designs for the sculptures are highly imaginative. What's more impressive is the ability to actually turn the sketches and ideas into physical form. His sculptures are modern pieces of art made with a combination of materials, metal, wood, plastic, all custom made to precision.

"How did he make that" is a thought that's constantly on my mind as I look each sculpture. The book doesn't cover the actual step-by-step creation process but I can understand that because each piece is custom made and the process would be difficult to document.

Even if you don't understand or appreciate the art, you have to admire the craft that goes behind making all these parts, and are even functioning art pieces.

This is a great book for fans of Michael Cooper, sculptures and installation art.

An interview with Michael Cooper

Here are direct links to the book:
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