Paintings

2. Beryl Cook, (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008) was
an English artist 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. She had no formal training
and did not take up painting until her thirties. She was a shy and
private person, and in her art often depicted the flamboyant and
extrovert characters she would like to be.Cook admired the work of the
English visionary artist Stanley Spencer, his influence evident in her
compositions and bold bulky figures. Another influence was Edward
Burra, who painted sleazy cafes, 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 recognized as one of the most-known
contemporary British artists, Cook never enjoyed acceptance by the
art establishment.

45. END13-NOVIEMBRE-2015