Githan Coopoo, a self-taught jewellery designer and sculptor, has made a distinct mark in the art scene by focusing solely on creating with clay. With a focus on volume, opulence, and fragility, Coopoo’s jewellery has graced prestigious Fashion Weeks around the globe, from New York to Paris, Nigeria to Russia. However, his artistic journey has expanded beyond jewellery, with larger-scale works that touches into his personal experiences and thoughts on queer love and sexuality.
Coopoo’s choice of clay as his primary medium stems from its simplicity and timeless appeal. By working with clay, he taps into a medium that has been used by artists throughout history, connecting his work to heritage.
Coopoo’s artistic endeavours have seen him venture into larger-scale sculptures, expanding his creative horizons. Drawing inspiration from ancient ceramic objects like the amphora, Coopoo incorporates his personal symbol of queerness – earrings – into his works.
The combination of the vase and earrings, distinct entities in their own right, coexisting, personifying queerness with playfulness and personality. The sculptures are adorned with colourful and thought-provoking remarks, teetering between the existential and tongue-in-cheek.
For Coopoo, his work is not just a personal exploration but a public conversation. He views his creative process as a grounding tool, allowing him to connect with himself and the myriad of conversations happening within his mind.
Coopoo’s message to the world is one of radical empathy. Through his art, he encourages us to practice empathy on a deeper level, embracing imperfections and finding gratitude in them. Coopoo reminds us that life is not laughing at us but inviting us to laugh with it.
