Jess Riva Cooper is a Toronto-based mixed media artist whose work explores transformation, ecological reclamation, and the relationship between human structures and invasive plant species. Through ceramics and installation-based sculptures, Cooper examines how nature encroaches upon and reshapes the built environment. Her process mirrors this phenomenon—she repurposes fragments of her older sculptures, integrating them into new forms. Once pristine, her figures become overgrown with plant life; their skin is punctured with vines, their heads sprouting leaves instead of hair. These haunting transformations blur the lines between life and decay, capturing moments of struggle and metamorphosis.

Cooper received her BFA from NSCAD University and an MFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited widely and participated in prestigious artist residencies, including Medalta, The Archie Bray Foundation, and The Kohler Arts/Industry Program.