A Long-Overdue Tribute to Beryl Cook: Celebrating a Radical and Joyous Artist
As the city of Plymouth prepares to bid farewell to its designation as UK City of Culture, a major retrospective of the work of Beryl Cook is set to shine a long-overdue light on her remarkable artistic contributions. The exhibition, Pride and Joy, opening next weekend at the Box in Plymouth, promises to showcase the vibrant and colourful paintings that have been misunderstood by many critics as mere kitsch or whimsy.
Terah Walkup, curator of the show, sees Cook's work as "a moment for Beryl Cook" – a celebration of an artist who was ahead of her time. Her meticulously crafted paintings not only captured the essence of working-class life but also celebrated body positivity, queer culture, and community identities that were often marginalised during that era.
Cook's fascination with Plymouth, where she lived from 1968 to 2008, resulted in some remarkable works of art, including the iconic Bar Girls painting (1972), which features two women enjoying a full pint of beer without any apology. This piece highlights Cook's ability to depict people occupying spaces unapologetically and celebrating their individuality.
Throughout her career, Cook drew inspiration from various sources, including local television news, newspapers, seaside postcards, the work of Amedeo Modigliani, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Her meticulous methods of working, which involved mining media for subjects and inspiration, have been documented in a "process and practice" section of the exhibition.
The impact of Cook's art can be seen not only in her paintings but also in larger-than-life sculptures that will be popping up across Plymouth. Jemima Laing, deputy leader of Plymouth city council, aptly describes these sculptures as "Plymouth's love letter to an artist who never stopped celebrating us."
Julian Spalding, a writer and former museum director, adds that Cook was one of the glories of British painting, drawing comparisons to William Hogarth and Thomas Rowlandson. When asked if she had ever considered creating something provocative, Cook replied, "No. If I thought it would make any difference, I might. But I don't." It's clear that her dedication to joy and celebration drove her artistic vision.
As the city of Plymouth prepares to celebrate its cultural identity, Beryl Cook's work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity, individuality, and community spirit. The Pride and Joy exhibition is not just an opportunity to rediscover Cook's remarkable art but also to appreciate the impact she had on her adopted city and beyond.
The exhibition will run until May 31, 2026, at the Box in Plymouth.
As the city of Plymouth prepares to bid farewell to its designation as UK City of Culture, a major retrospective of the work of Beryl Cook is set to shine a long-overdue light on her remarkable artistic contributions. The exhibition, Pride and Joy, opening next weekend at the Box in Plymouth, promises to showcase the vibrant and colourful paintings that have been misunderstood by many critics as mere kitsch or whimsy.
Terah Walkup, curator of the show, sees Cook's work as "a moment for Beryl Cook" – a celebration of an artist who was ahead of her time. Her meticulously crafted paintings not only captured the essence of working-class life but also celebrated body positivity, queer culture, and community identities that were often marginalised during that era.
Cook's fascination with Plymouth, where she lived from 1968 to 2008, resulted in some remarkable works of art, including the iconic Bar Girls painting (1972), which features two women enjoying a full pint of beer without any apology. This piece highlights Cook's ability to depict people occupying spaces unapologetically and celebrating their individuality.
Throughout her career, Cook drew inspiration from various sources, including local television news, newspapers, seaside postcards, the work of Amedeo Modigliani, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Her meticulous methods of working, which involved mining media for subjects and inspiration, have been documented in a "process and practice" section of the exhibition.
The impact of Cook's art can be seen not only in her paintings but also in larger-than-life sculptures that will be popping up across Plymouth. Jemima Laing, deputy leader of Plymouth city council, aptly describes these sculptures as "Plymouth's love letter to an artist who never stopped celebrating us."
Julian Spalding, a writer and former museum director, adds that Cook was one of the glories of British painting, drawing comparisons to William Hogarth and Thomas Rowlandson. When asked if she had ever considered creating something provocative, Cook replied, "No. If I thought it would make any difference, I might. But I don't." It's clear that her dedication to joy and celebration drove her artistic vision.
As the city of Plymouth prepares to celebrate its cultural identity, Beryl Cook's work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity, individuality, and community spirit. The Pride and Joy exhibition is not just an opportunity to rediscover Cook's remarkable art but also to appreciate the impact she had on her adopted city and beyond.
The exhibition will run until May 31, 2026, at the Box in Plymouth.
i mean she was creating art that celebrated body positivity & queer culture way back when it was super rare to see that kind of representation in mainstream media! 
her paintings are literally gorgeous too, love the way she captured the essence of working-class life and made it look so beautiful 
that's like so inspiring! and those sculptures that'll be popping up across plymouth? can't wait to see them!! 
it's like she said no to creating anything "provocative" but instead just spread love and positivity wherever she went 
anyway, can't wait for this exhibition in plymouth, gotta see those sculptures popping up across the city 
. i mean dont get me wrong shes rad but i feel like its a bit late to the party. what took them this long to give her proper tribute? 
. i mean we've all seen those ppl saying her art is just kitsch but no one gets it 
. terah walkup the curator of the show is literally giving us life with this exhibition "Pride and Joy" which is gonna showcase Cook's vibrant paintings in a whole new light 
.
that piece is EVERYTHING 
. her legacy is all about embracing individuality and community spirit, which is honestly so inspiring 
.
Beryl Cook's art is like a breath of fresh air - all that color and joy! I love how she didn't care what others thought and just created from the heart 
The way she captured the essence of working-class life in her paintings is so important. We need more artists like Beryl Cook who aren't afraid to speak their truth 
. I mean, think about it...we're living in a world where people are finally starting to accept and celebrate individuality, body positivity, and community identities. It's like Cook was ahead of her time, you know? And it's not just about her art...it's about the impact she had on those around her. She brought people together through her work, and that's something we can all strive for in our own lives 
. i mean who wouldn't want to give a shoutout to beryl cook, right? she was basically painting the in-laws and making them sexy, what's not to love about that? anyway, glad someone is giving her the recognition she deserves, i guess. all this fuss over plymouth being the city of culture, like we haven't been there before 
. but hey, if it means we get more art and culture, i'm down 
.
That's really inspiring. Can't wait to see these sculptures popping up across Plymouth! 
It's like, the ultimate symbol of female friendship and self-love. Cook was all about empowering women and showing them they didn't need to be ashamed of who they were 
. I'm so grateful she had the platform to share her art with the world 
.
. i mean, who else could make art out of everyday life in plymouth and still manage to celebrate individuality and community? 
. gotta check out that "process and practice" section of the exhibition too! 
can't wait to see those larger-than-life sculptures popping up across the city 
I love how she celebrated individuality and community identities in her art. It's crazy that some people back then thought her work was "mere kitsch" but now we're realizing its genius 
. I love how this exhibition isn't just about showcasing her art but also celebrating the community she was a part of. it's all about joy, individuality, and inclusivity - what more can you ask for? 
. Did you know that her painting "Bar Girls" (1972) sold for a whoppin' £4.5 million at auction in 2018? 
That's some serious recognition! 
. Cook's work is proof that women can create art that resonates with people from all walks of life 
.
. That's like, a whole lotta joy! 
. Get ready to have your mind blown by her vibrant colors and unapologetic depictions of life 
. That's some serious impact! And did you know that Cook's work has been exhibited in over 20 countries worldwide?