b. 1978, Buchanan, Liberia
Barthelomew “Bart” Cooper is a multidisciplinary Contemporary artist and painter based in Los Angeles, California. Born in Liberia and formed by early displacement during the country’s civil conflict, his practice is shaped by the historical and cultural continuities linking West Africa and the United States, while extending beyond fixed geographic boundaries.
Working across digital reconstruction, and painting, Cooper builds a distinct visual language that merges classical draftsmanship with contemporary image construction. His cross-media methodology reflects a commitment to both inherited tradition and technological evolution.
His portraits are marked by psychological stillness and composure, creating space for cross-generational recognition. Acting as a bridge across histories, Cooper positions the body as a site where diasporic memory, American cultural narratives, and global exchange converge.
Through this synthesis, he advances portraiture as a structure for self-authorship, shaping identity not as a fixed condition but as an architecture continually in the making.
CV
Exhibitions:
2024: Group Exhibition - “future Memory,” College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA.
2023: Solo Exhibition - "DNA," The Know Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA.
2023: Group Exhibition- “Our Celebration of Stevie Wonder” Andaz Hotel, West Hollywood, CA.
2022: Solo Exhibition - "Purple Series," Alvin But Gallery, Bethlehem, PA.
2022: Solo Exhibition - "Heroes: My Heroes Actually Have Real Super Powers," The Crayola Gallery, Bethlehem, PA.
2019: Solo Exhibition - "Heroes: My Heroes Actually Have Real Super Powers," The Know Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA.
2019: Group Exhibition - "Purple Series," MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Cleveland, Cleveland, OH.
2017: Solo Exhibition - "3rd Purple Series: Indigo," Los Angeles, CA.
2016: Solo Exhibition - "2nd Purple Series," Maxwell Dickson Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2015: Solo Exhibition - "1st Purple Series," Maxwell Dickson Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2014: Group Exhibition - "Emotions," Black Stone Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2013: Group Exhibition - Los Angeles Artist Collective, Los Angeles, CA.
Press:
2024: Featured in LA Weekly “Meet an Artist Monday”
2023: Featured in Billboard Magazine for Dionne Warwick and Dolly Parton's "Peace Like a River" album covers.
2023: Featured in LA Times “Celebration of Stevie Wonder”
2023: Revealed the single cover artwork for Dionne Warwick and Dolly Parton's "Peace Like a River" on Good Morning America.
2022: Interviewed on Courageous Conversations Television at PBS.
2022: Interviewed on WFMZ Channel 69 News for "Heroes" exhibit in Bethlehem, PA.
2022: Featured in an article on LehighValley Live for "Heroes" art workshop with Whitehall grad Bart Cooper.
2022: Featured on WFMZ Channel 69 News for bringing a workshop to Whitehall High.
2022: Featured on WFMZ Channel 69 News for returning to Whitehall High after designing the Musikfest Poster.
2022: Faces Int., ArtsQuest, and United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley announce "Heroes" exhibition.
2022: Featured in ESSENCEMagazine, discussing the capturing of favorite Black icons.
2020: Interviewed in ESSENCE Magazine for the 50th Anniversary issue.
Corporate Collaborations and Commissions:
2023: Artwork acquired by Allentown, PA City Hall, Bethlehem, PA City Hall, and Easton, PA City Hall.
2022: Collaboration with ArtsQuest Musikfest.
2022: Collaboration with PBS.
2018: Collaboration with Dutch Masters Cigar.
2018: Collaboration with BET.
2017: Collaboration with Motions Hair Product.
2015: Collaboration with E! Entertainment.
Selected Achievements:
Title: My Heroes Actually Have Real Super Powers, Category: Arts/Entertainment - Short Form Content
2023: Signed and numbered artwork "Heroes" (48x48) acquired by Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton Pennsylvania City Halls.
2022: "Heroes" Art Exhibition community program, including artist talks, tours, lectures on social justice, and racial equity.
2020: Featured in cover spread of ESSENCE Magazine's 50th Anniversary issue.