Artist Statement

My name is Cooper Clay Tidwell, and I am a photographer, painter, and writer based in Northwest Arkansas. In 2026, I graduated from University of Arkansas’ School of Art with a BFA in Studio Art and art history minor. My work covers various topics through interdisplinary approaches spanning philosophy, literature, and pop-culture. I began my training as an artist in middle school, and since then my practice has evolved far beyond early autobiographical work. Much of my practice is driven by a mass participatory model of inquiry; In order to achieve a better understanding of my topics and to connect with others in the process, I hold open-calls for models and interviewees, the result of which is compiled in photobooks. More recently, my practice has shifted towards a heavy focus on research, theory, and media analysis which bolsters my visual exploration. I use art as a vehicle for social connection and a launch point for conversations around broader social narratives.

My material approach is a combination of photography and painting, and in recent projects, I have employed embellishment technique to suspend photography is space spanning both reality and fantasy. My work is informed by masters such as David Wojnarowicz, Nan Golden, Philip Kwame Apagya, and Edward Ruscha. My literature is inspired by writers including Susan Sontag, Natalie Wynn, and SOMEONEELSE. Currently, I am developing a mixed media series and accompanying essays on the true crime genre and it ever-evolving relationship to the internet. Beyond my personal art practice, I’ve been involved in organizing several exhibitions, including Student Response to Arkansas Act 573, for which I was the project coordinator.