Pam Cooper: Paper Constructions Addressing Social Trauma and Gender Inequality
Pam Cooper, an artist originally from near London, shifted her career from pharmacy to art after relocating to the US in 1990. She obtained a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Aston and attended Eastleigh College of Art as well as Southampton College of Art. Due to visa limitations, she was unable to continue in pharmacy, prompting her to pursue studies at Pratt Institute at the age of 40. Following her graduation, a diagnosis of ovarian cancer redirected her attention to papermaking. Her monochromatic pieces explore various social issues, such as cell phone addiction, school shootings, online predators, child abduction, corporate gender inequality, and body image. Inspired by Eva Hesse and Lee Bontecou, Cooper adheres to a rigorous studio routine.
Key facts
- Pam Cooper was born near London and earned a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Aston in Birmingham.
- She moved to the United States in 1990 due to her husband's overseas assignment.
- Visa restrictions prevented her from working as a pharmacist in America.
- She enrolled at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn at age 40, initially as a painting major.
- Internships at Dieu Donné Paper Mill and Pace Editions influenced her focus on handmade paper.
- After graduating, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and shifted from large wooden sculptures to papermaking.
- She attended a workshop at the Women's Studio Workshop in Kingston, New York, to study abaca and flax fibers.
- Her works address social issues including school shootings, online predators, border children, gender inequality, and genetic manipulation.
Entities
Artists
- Pam Cooper
- Eva Hesse
- Lee Bontecou
Institutions
- University of Aston in Birmingham
- Eastleigh College of Art
- Southampton College of Art
- Pratt Institute
- Dieu Donné Paper Mill
- Pace Editions
- Women's Studio Workshop
Locations
- London
- England
- United States
- Brooklyn
- New Jersey
- Kingston
- New York
- Mexican border
Sources
- AATONAU —