Bob Cooper, “Chanting” — Patinated Copper Wall Sculpture, Signed, Shadowbox Frame

Powerful and contemplative patinated copper wall sculpture by Bob Cooper, titled “Chanting.” The work features three stylized, mask-like figures rendered in richly oxidized turquoise and bronze tones, their unified drapery and rhythmic arrangement evoking the quiet pulse of a ceremonial chant. 

Hand-formed and textured copper surfaces reveal Cooper’s signature craftsmanship—hammered, folded, and selectively burnished to highlight the warmth of bare copper against cool patina. The composition is mounted on a suede-like fabric backing within a shadowbox-style wood frame (no glass), a format typical of Cooper’s celebrated “Copper Images” series from the mid-20th century.

Dimensions:
Overall: 30" H × 16" W
Visible artwork: 19" H × 7" W
Signed lower right: Cooper

Condition:

Good condition overall with no damage. The patina remains vivid and stable, displaying natural tonal variation consistent with handcrafted copperwork. Frame and backing are clean and structurally sound.

Artist Biography:

Bob Cooper (American, active mid- to late 20th century) was a Santa Fe–based sculptor known for his distinctive patinated copper reliefs and wall sculptures. His works merge Southwestern symbolism, modern design, and spiritual abstraction, often depicting figures, dancers, or Kachina-inspired forms within shadowbox frames. Cooper’s “Copper Images” series gained recognition for its dynamic textures and nuanced color transitions, achieved through hand-forging and chemical patination.

Each piece reflects his mastery of metal as both a medium of permanence and emotion, capturing the rhythm of human spirit within sculptural form.