Cooper studied at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and its School for American Craftsman under the tutelage of famed silversmith, Hans Christiansen who offered up this bit of advice, “Never add anything that doesn’t belong.” This guiding principle stayed with Cooper as he continued his education at the Fashion Institute of Technology, learning from some of the industry’s top designers from Tiffany, Harry Winston, to other choice freelance designers like Anthony Lent. Three decades later, Cooper is still enamored with nature and the ideals of “clean design” still serve as the cornerstone of his handcrafted works.
“To me, the world is an incredible source of design. All you have to do is look out the door and see the shape of trees and flowers, how water flows over rocks. That to me is incredible imagery which is what I try to include in my work whether it be my jewelry, sculptures or my interpretation of Judaica”.
