Gary Cooper

About the Artist

Gary Cooper was commissioned to create several bas-relief bronze plaques for the Maine State House Hall of Flags in Augusta, Maine: The Maine Vietnam Veterans Memorial (dedicated March 3, 2003), Maine Korean Veterans Memorial (dedicated November 10, 2005) and Maine World War II Veterans Memorial (dedicated August 14, 2006).
Maine Governor John Baldacci presented the initial awards of the gold star version of the Maine Honorable Service Medal on August 7, 2006.
In 1998, Gary was among a select group of artists invited by the United States Mint to submit designs for the golden dollar coin.
Mr. Cooper's latest commission was for a bronze memorial plaque in the Maine State House Hall of Flags honoring all Maine Women Veterans from the American Revolution to the present day. It was dedicated in a public ceremony on February 18, 2011.

Artist's Statement:

"In considering a bronze relief design, whether it will take final form as a medal or plaque, I conduct very detailed research of the subject matter. This process is to discover key elements and relationships that can deliver an effective visual allegory of contemporary meaning to the general public or other intended viewer audience.

My research sources include consulting with local educators, historians and naturalists. Elements of the natural world have always provided me with inspiration. I draw upon a few key and favorite symbols to make new allegorical connections to use in my bas-relief designs.

The ultimate creative objective is to result with an aesthetically engaging design that may appeal to the viewer's mind to inspire thoughtful reflection of the present, past and future."