Richard Cooper is a New Zealand born Cook Islander who holds a Doctorate of Fine Arts.

The father of four describes his artistic concepts as being primarily based around the importance of the family and social values in society. Richard has worked in a multitude of mediums including the material he's been familiar with from an early age - wood.

Richard worked for many years as a forestry worker in Tokoroa where he got the technical skills and the inspiration to use the chainsaw for artistic purposes. The motivation to use his skill with wielding the chainsaw creatively eventually gave Richard the confidence to start making the multi dimensional sculptural pieces that are still his trademark today.

Richard has since gone on to exhibit both nationally and internationally with a plethora of scholarships and awards behind him. He has completed a number of commissioned public works of art.