Artist April Cooper is known to many who have attended Trenton’s Art All Night. It was at the annual 24-hour arts festival that she first really connected with the local art scene.
Cooper’s striking oil paintings have gained a local following in recent years. Her works have been on display in such places as the Trenton City Museum, Passage Theatre, Slammin Brew, and Artworks Trenton. Starting Oct. 3, she will have a painting in the “Under the Influence” exhibition at Gallery 14C in Jersey City. The gallery describes the exhibition as a “group show of artists inspired by other artists.”
Cooper, 40, was born in Trenton and attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary School before moving to Salisbury, Maryland. As a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she majored in both art and education.
But she says she has spent much of her life studying art techniques, experimenting with styles and developing an artistic practice rooted in storytelling. Painting mostly with oil, Cooper has built up a portfolio of works that she calls “Ghetto to Trendy.”
“‘Ghetto to Trendy’ came from noticing how styles, language and cultural practices that were once dismissed or ridiculed often become mainstream later,” Cooper says. “I remember being called ‘ghetto’ for having cornrows as my hairstyle. Now, thanks partly to the CROWN Act and partly on appropriation, it’s not perceived as an unacceptable and unprofessional hairstyle. I wanted to explore the shift and the tension between cultural pride and cultural appropriation.”
Her father, Theron Charles, bought her first easel and her mother, Brenda Cooper-Matthews, bought her first sketchbook. Charles is Antiguan, and Cooper-Matthews African American, and Cooper says that both cultures are rooted deeply in her art.
She adds that daughter Kamora Cooper, 17, inspires her daily, and shows up in her art quite frequently. Kamora attends Ewing High School. Her sister, Tyshea Cooper, “somehow shows up to every show and art festival. “My family has always supported my journey as an artist, and their encouragement fuels my work,” she says.
Community News interviewed Cooper about the upcoming exhibition at Gallery 14C.
Q. Tell us about your journey as an exhibiting artist.
April Cooper: Art All Night was my first time exhibiting in New Jersey, and it was the turning point for me. Previously, I was unsure if I could make it as an artist, and was sporadically showing. That experience of Art All Night showed me how art connects people and gave me the courage to keep putting my work out there.
Since then, I’ve grown into showing in galleries, exhibitions and juried shows all around the East Coast.
Q: You write that your art is “a celebration of Black culture; the moments, traditions, and symbols that shape our collective identity.”
AC: To me, celebrating Black culture means honoring my everyday life the traditions, the beauty, the humor and the resilience. From passing down the art of seasoning until our ancestors say stop, or the deep love for gold bamboo earrings. My work uplifts the moments and symbols that are often overlooked, but (which) deeply shape who we are.
I want people to see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected on canvas.
Q. How has “Ghetto to Trendy” developed over time?
AC: It started with small, personal reflections. But as I created more, the work pushed me to think deeper about history, identity and belonging. My later pieces became almost requests from people sharing their own experiences as well. The process has been both surprising and affirming.
Q. How and where do you work? Tell us about your process.
AC: I work from my home studio in Ewing. My days are filled with business, admin, emails, shipping et cetera. That’s my 9 to 5.
After dinner is when I prefer to paint, sketch and let my creative tasks flow. I occasionally will work at Dunkin’ in Ewing or the Slammin Brew in Trenton. I usually begin with sketches and ideas pulled from real life. I start with a clear message in mind, and translate that message from sketch to canvas.
Q. Would you say that you chose oil painting as a medium, or more that it chose you?
AC: I definitely blame Bob Ross for why I chose oil paint. When I decided at the tender age of 11 to become an artist, the only painter I knew of was Bob Ross, and Bob Ross used oil paint. Therefore, I would be using oil paint.
In school, I was introduced to watercolors and acrylic, but for a while, I thought all professionals were using oils. I’ve tried many media, but nothing is as forgiving to your mistakes like oils.
Honestly, I get more enjoyment from oil paint. Other forms tend to frustrate me, and that makes it harder show my ideas on canvas.
Q. Your paintings are rich with allegory and symbolism. When you start a piece, do you have a message in mind, or does it reveal itself to you as you work?
AC: I begin knowing exactly what I want to say with my work and how I’m going to convey it. A hand gesture or a mean stare, it’s all planned out in sketching stage. Rarely does a painting surprise me, but if it does, I go with it.
Q. Your work will be on exhibit at Gallery 14C’s “Under the Influence” exhibition later this month in Jersey City. What can you tell us about being a part of this show and about the work that was selected for display?
AC: I’m honored and thrilled to be included. My work in this exhibition reflects both my influences as an artist and the influence that culture has on art and society. It’s powerful to be part of a group show where so many perspectives meet.
The painting that was selected was “Invited to the Cookout.” It’s a beautiful portrayal of my family at a cookout. It’s a positive moment where Black people gather and enjoy themselves: there’s food, friends, music and fun.
The painting that influenced me was Ernie Barnes “Sugar Shack,” known mostly from the TV show Good Times, and Marvin Gaye’s I Want You album. Ernie Barnes’ painting inspired me to show my culture’s social scenes in a positive light.
Q. Where else can your art be seen?
AC: My curator Buck Malvo keeps me busy. My work is currently at Slamming Brew, Hub13 and Passage Theatre, all in Trenton. I was at New Jersey State Museum for Art All Day on Sept. 20. I have art at Artworks Trenton for the Art All Day exhibition which ends Oct. 11.
I’m also currently in Biafarin’s online international juried art show called “Food Story.” I show my work online at artbyaprilcooper.com.
I also share regularly on TikTok (@Aprilbydesign), Instagram (@artbyapril), Facebook (ArtbyAprilCooper) and YouTube (@artbyapril).
Q. What is a favorite exhibition experience that you have had in the past?
AC: I had a group show with Museum of Science and Industry called “Black Creativity,” in Chicago. The number of kids there that experienced my work was astounding. Even afterwards people were tagging me online, showing their love for the art. It was amazing.
I think that’s the real point: you want your art to truly affect people — especially the youth.
Q. With “Ghetto to Trendy” coming toward a close, do you have something that you are looking forward to working on next?
AC: “Ghetto to Trendy” has given me a strong foundation. I’m looking forward to building a new body of work that continues celebrating Black culture and community, while also exploring the important milestones of Black life.
Gallery 14C is located at 157A First St. in Jersey City. Web: artfair14c.com/gallery14c.
