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Cover image courtesy of publisher.
Issue Details: First known date: 2014... 2014 An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'‘the best ornithological illustrator alive’

David Attenborough

'In the work of artist William T. Cooper, platypuses swim in green underwater worlds, waves throw up blankets of spray, embers glow in the aftermath of a bushfire, a Thylacine emerges from the shadows, sniffing the air. But it is his paintings of birds which set Cooper apart—his raucous cockatoos, colourful parrots, animated turacos and flamboyantly displaying birds of paradise. Often placed in meticulously studied landscapes, these intricate bird portraits reveal Cooper’s close observation not only of his subjects’ appearance, but their habits, poses and behaviour.

'In this biography, Penny Olsen traces the path of Cooper’s life and art—from his childhood spent in the bush, to his teenage years as an apprentice taxidermist at Carey Bay Zoo and, later, to his work as a window dresser and landscape artist. She documents his fruitful partnership with wife and collaborator Wendy Cooper and his extensive travels in Australia and abroad in pursuit of his subjects. Olsen’s commentary reveals the development of an artist and the trajectory of a life, while extracts from Cooper’s extensive field notebooks give an insight into his interests and processes.

'Illustrated with photographs, paintings and sketches, and includes a portfolio of bird and landscape paintings that have never before been published. ' (Publication abstract)

Notes

  • Foreward by David Attenborough

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Penny Olsen : An Eye for Nature: The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Kerry Heckenberg , 2016 single work essay
— Appears in: Queensland Review , June vol. 23 no. 1 2016; (p. 105-106)

'This sumptuous book, written by ornithological research scientist and natural history author Penny Olsen, celebrates the life and work of natural history artist, William T. Cooper (1934–2015), described by David Attenborough in his ‘Foreword’ as ‘arguably one of the greatest of all bird artists’ (2014: viii). This is a big claim, since Attenborough includes Cooper among the significant bird artists of the past, such as John Gould (1804–81) and John James Audubon (1785–1851), as well as contemporary artists. Does the book validate this assertion?'  (Introduction)

A Natural's Soaring Portraits Ian Fraser , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 19 July 2014; (p. 25)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Paul Orange , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 24-25 May 2014; (p. 28)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
Illustrator's Life as Colourful as Celebrated Birds Sally Pryor , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 28 March 2014; (p. 3)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
The Birdman of Topaz Gillian Cumming , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 8 March 2014; (p. 14-15)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
'David Attenborough says North Queenslander William Cooper is 'the best ornithological illustrator alive', writes Gillian Cumming.'
The Birdman of Topaz Gillian Cumming , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 8 March 2014; (p. 14-15)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
'David Attenborough says North Queenslander William Cooper is 'the best ornithological illustrator alive', writes Gillian Cumming.'
Illustrator's Life as Colourful as Celebrated Birds Sally Pryor , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 28 March 2014; (p. 3)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Paul Orange , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 24-25 May 2014; (p. 28)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
A Natural's Soaring Portraits Ian Fraser , 2014 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 19 July 2014; (p. 25)

— Review of An Eye for Nature : The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Penny Olsen , 2014 single work biography
Penny Olsen : An Eye for Nature: The Life and Art of William T. Cooper Kerry Heckenberg , 2016 single work essay
— Appears in: Queensland Review , June vol. 23 no. 1 2016; (p. 105-106)

'This sumptuous book, written by ornithological research scientist and natural history author Penny Olsen, celebrates the life and work of natural history artist, William T. Cooper (1934–2015), described by David Attenborough in his ‘Foreword’ as ‘arguably one of the greatest of all bird artists’ (2014: viii). This is a big claim, since Attenborough includes Cooper among the significant bird artists of the past, such as John Gould (1804–81) and John James Audubon (1785–1851), as well as contemporary artists. Does the book validate this assertion?'  (Introduction)

Last amended 1 Feb 2017 16:33:38
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