Sculpture Portfolio

Peace by Piece Capturing a Whole Story in a Moment

2020

Forgiveness Without Revenge, 2019

“The pyramid represents the whole person while the stacked building blocks represent the lessons and trespasses of life. Some blocks need repairing or resolving while others require the passing of time and generations of spiritual and psychological work. Each symbol carved on the pyramid serves as an affirmation and reminder of the higher self and the human need for evolution. As the pyramid rises, the energy grows and the stones become smaller. Smaller stones indicate that we are effectively working through mental representations to understand the world, self, and others. We are closer to integrated healing. Closer to enlightenment and a new version of ourselves. While experiencing and absorbing the work, I hope to allow a cathartic space for others who find a reflection of themselves within my sculptures, to ignite their healing process as well.

 True Forgiveness is without expectation, because it is not about power, but freedom.” - Adesina Cooper

Tension is Necessary, 2018

“In Tension is Necessary, the chessboard and its components act as an analogy of America’s progressive efforts to derogate Black love with psychological elements such as self-hate, Black shame, colorism, and incarceration. The Chessboard represents an urban landscape that the modern family learns to maneuver between violence, poverty, mistrust, and generational trauma with the goal of reaching a space of trust, commitment, and loyalty. The ultimate goal is unity, the only safe space to be free.

The carvings embedded at the base of sculptures symbolize the highest intention of each. Hands at the front of the King represent trust. The images of partnership and children that surround the Queen represent the power of the matriarch. Notes to the King and Queen serve, as reminders of their highest selves.

The intention behind this piece is to capture the opportunities that stem from love. It is a collection of lessons, ultimately aiming to capture the ultimate desire; a moment of bliss turned into a lifetime of growth. As I age and battle time I often wonder if the idea of love is worth it. Growing exhausted by the same tragedies of lust and sorrow, I don’t see the love I know. Thus, I present a sculpted realty filled with positive affirmations. As an idea of hope that the women and men in my community can experience a strengthening positive love.”

-Adesina Cooper

The Gift is in the Wound, 2015

“My ceramic sculptures are created to call attention to the internal life of a person. My goal as an artist is to create original creatures that manifest a sense of strength and emotion. I aim to capture pain and the resiliency that forms through self-reflection and eventually overcoming emotions. I have interpreted the elastic relationship between trauma and resiliency into a hybrid creature combining the reptile and human figure. I do so to represent the unconscious and consciousness becoming whole through self-exploration and healing.

I have chosen the reptile species as the template anatomy for my creatures because I believe we find our gifts in life when we explore our pain. Through my interpretation, the reptiles represent the mystery within ourselves that we must to learn to understand.” - Adesina Cooper

How To Deal with Pain, 2015

“We all have different voices in our heads that influence the decisions we make. They criticize us and comment on our moment-to-moment experiences. My sculptures are meant to reflect this internal battle of protecting our self-esteem and ultimately, our identity. When external influences threaten us, these voices help us cope. Sometimes we are conscious of the backlash; other times it’s easier to be in denial. Either way, threats can create anxiety and impulsive behavior, so we use different techniques to maintain an optimal balance within ourselves. We use devices such as denial, repression, and projection in order to disconnect ourselves from the emotional drawbacks of threats.

I chose to represent this internal relationship by morphing the female figure and snake. The snake represents the internal voices, as the figure represents the external reaction. I hand built these pieces in earthenware clay and use low-fire glazes for color.” - Adesina Cooper

Attachments, 2013