Beryl Cook

Not to be confused with Beryl Cooke.

Beryl Cook
Beryl Cook in her studio
Born
Beryl Francis Lansley

(1926-09-10)10 September 1926
Egham, Surrey, England
Died28 May 2008(2008-05-28) (aged 81)
Plymouth, Devon, England
NationalityBritish
Known forPainting
MovementNaive art
AwardsOBE
Websiteourberylcook.com
Beryl Cook, Tea in the Garden

Beryl Cook, OBE (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008) was a British painter best known for her original and instantly recognisable paintings. Often comical, her works pictured people whom she encountered in everyday life, including people enjoying themselves in pubs, girls shopping or out on a hen night, drag queen shows or a family picnicking by the seaside or abroad.[1] She had no formal training and did not take up painting until her thirties.[2] She was a shy and private person,[3] and in her work often depicted the flamboyant and extrovert characters so different to herself.[4]

Cook admired the work of the English artist Stanley Spencer,[5] his influence evident in her compositions and bold bulky figures. Another influence was Edward Burra, who painted sleazy cafés, nightclubs, gay bars, sailors and prostitutes, although, unlike Burra, she did not paint the sinister aspects of scenes. She had an almost photographic memory. Although widely popular and recognised as one of the most well-known contemporary British artists, Cook never enjoyed acceptance by the art establishment.[6][7]

Since her death in 2008, Beryl's son John and granddaughter Sophie have run the official Beryl Cook website providing a look into her life.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "BBC - Devon - History - Beryl Cook: a Profile". BBC. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Painter Beryl Cook dies aged 81". BBC. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Beryl Cook: The Times obituary". The Times. London. 29 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  4. ^ Rachel Campbell-Johnston (29 August 2006). "Roll out the Beryls". The Times. London. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  5. ^ Jess Wilder (30 May 2008). "Beryl Cook: Self-taught painter with a beady eye for the joys and absurdities of life". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Beryl Cook". The Telegraph. www.telegraph.co.uk. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  7. ^ Adrian Searle (24 July 2007). "Adrian Searle on why Beryl Cook paintings may make you feel queasy". The Guardian. www.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2011.