Paula Cooper Gallery

Paula Cooper Gallery is a pioneering contemporary art gallery that has played a pivotal role in shaping the art world since its inception in 1968. Founded by the visionary dealer Paula Cooper, the gallery has been a driving force in promoting and supporting some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, with a particular focus on conceptual and minimal art.

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Origins and Early Years

Paula Cooper’s journey into the art world began in the early 1960s when she worked at the World House Galleries on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In 1965, she joined the Park Place cooperative gallery, a collective of artists from the West Coast and New York, including Mark di Suvero, Forrest Myers, and Robert Grosvenor. [2] This experience exposed Cooper to the avant-garde art scene and laid the foundation for her future endeavors.

In 1968, Cooper took a bold step and opened her eponymous gallery in SoHo, a then-industrial neighborhood that was rapidly transforming into an artistic hub. [3] The inaugural exhibition, a benefit show for the Student Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, featured works by Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Robert Mangold, and Robert Ryman, among others, including Sol LeWitt’s first wall drawing. [15] This exhibition set the tone for the gallery’s commitment to activism and its unwavering support for groundbreaking artists.

Championing Conceptual and Minimal Art

From the outset, Paula Cooper Gallery has been at the forefront of promoting conceptual and minimal art, movements that challenged traditional notions of art and its materiality. The gallery has represented and exhibited some of the most influential artists associated with these movements, including Carl Andre, Sol LeWitt, and Donald Judd. [10][15]

Carl Andre’s sculptures, composed of unmanipulated found elements arranged in rigorous geometric forms, exemplify the minimalist aesthetic. His work has been extensively exhibited at the gallery and in major retrospectives worldwide. [10] Similarly, Sol LeWitt’s pioneering wall drawings and open cube structures, which prioritize the idea over the physical object, have been a cornerstone of the gallery’s program since its inception. [15]

Supporting Women Artists

One of Paula Cooper’s most significant contributions has been her steadfast support for women artists during a time when the art world was predominantly male-dominated. Between 1969 and 1979, a pivotal decade for feminism, the gallery represented and regularly exhibited the works of Lynda Benglis, Jennifer Bartlett, Elizabeth Murray, and Jackie Winsor, ensuring their works entered major museum collections. [5]

Lynda Benglis, known for her innovative use of materials and her challenging of traditional gender roles, had her first solo exhibition at the gallery in 1974. [5] Jennifer Bartlett’s monumental painting “A New Work: Rhapsody,” composed of nearly 1,000 one-foot-square steel plates, was hailed as “The most ambitious single work of new art” by John Russell in the New York Times. [5] Elizabeth Murray’s vibrant and dynamic sculptures were also regularly showcased, cementing her reputation as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.

Expanding Horizons

While maintaining its focus on conceptual and minimal art, Paula Cooper Gallery has continuously expanded its horizons, representing a diverse range of artists working across various media and disciplines. In recent years, the gallery has added artists such as Walid Raad, Tauba Auerbach, and Veronica Ryan to its roster, reflecting its commitment to supporting innovative and thought-provoking contemporary practices. [12][13][17]

Walid Raad’s multidisciplinary work explores the complexities of historical events and their impact on culture and narrative, while Tauba Auerbach’s practice contemplates structure and connectivity on a universal scale, incorporating various media from painting to musical instrument design. [12][17] Veronica Ryan, the recent recipient of the prestigious Turner Prize, creates meticulously handcrafted sculptures and installations that examine environmental concerns, personal narratives, and the psychological implications of history and trauma. [13]

Exhibitions and Collaborations

Throughout its history, Paula Cooper Gallery has organized numerous groundbreaking exhibitions and collaborations that have pushed the boundaries of contemporary art. In 2011, the gallery presented “Locations,” a group exhibition that brought together artists using geographical location and mapping as a conceptual framework, featuring works by Francis Alÿs, Stanley Brouwn, Dan Graham, and Walid Raad, among others. [4]

The gallery has also been a platform for interdisciplinary collaborations, hosting concerts, dance performances, poetry readings, and special events to benefit various organizations. For 25 years until 2000, the gallery presented a celebrated series of New Year’s Eve readings of Gertrude Stein’s “The Making of Americans” and James Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake.” [3]

Lasting Legacy

Paula Cooper Gallery’s impact on the art world cannot be overstated. Its unwavering commitment to supporting and promoting groundbreaking artists, its advocacy for women in the arts, and its dedication to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations have left an indelible mark on the contemporary art landscape.

As the gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary, it continues to be a driving force in shaping the discourse around contemporary art, challenging conventions, and providing a platform for artists to explore new ideas and push creative boundaries. [14] With its rich history and enduring legacy, Paula Cooper Gallery remains a beacon of innovation, activism, and artistic excellence, inspiring generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike. [1][2][3][4][5][10][12][13][15][17]

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