“Beryl Cook, OBE (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008) was an English artist best known for her original and instantly recognisable paintings of people enjoying themselves in pubs,girls shopping or out on a hen night. Drag shows or a family picnicing by the seaside or abroad – tangoing in Buenos Aires or gambling in Las Vegas. She had no formal training and did not take up painting until middle age.
Cook was a shy and private person, often depicting the flamboyant and extrovert characters she would like to be. She had an almost photographic memory.
She found new material for her work while travelling. Early local scenes expanded those depicting Buenos Aires, New York, Cuba, Paris and Barcelona.
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 was described by Victoria Wood as “Rubens with jokes”.
Beryl Cook's work can be seen in context with the British tradition of social realist painters and could be described as a twentieth century Hogarth or Gilray, although she had a more sympathetic view of the human race. She was, like them above all a social observer. In 1979 a film was made about Beryl Cook for LWT's South Bank Show. The TV company Tiger Aspect made two half hour award winning animated films of Beryl Cook's irrepressible women who meet at Plymouth's Dolphin Pub. Entitled 'Bosom Pals' had an all star cast of voices with Dawn French, Rosemary Leach, Alison Steadman and Timothy Spall. They were screned on BBC1 in February 2004”. – Wikipedia
Cook was a shy and private person, often depicting the flamboyant and extrovert characters she would like to be. She had an almost photographic memory.
She found new material for her work while travelling. Early local scenes expanded those depicting Buenos Aires, New York, Cuba, Paris and Barcelona.
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 was described by Victoria Wood as “Rubens with jokes”.
Beryl Cook's work can be seen in context with the British tradition of social realist painters and could be described as a twentieth century Hogarth or Gilray, although she had a more sympathetic view of the human race. She was, like them above all a social observer. In 1979 a film was made about Beryl Cook for LWT's South Bank Show. The TV company Tiger Aspect made two half hour award winning animated films of Beryl Cook's irrepressible women who meet at Plymouth's Dolphin Pub. Entitled 'Bosom Pals' had an all star cast of voices with Dawn French, Rosemary Leach, Alison Steadman and Timothy Spall. They were screned on BBC1 in February 2004”. – Wikipedia

Conversation Piece. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Punks in a Bar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Banjo Players. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hen Party I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sailors Dancing. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bosom Pals. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tarzanogram I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tarzanogram II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bouncers Back. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sailors and Virgins. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Punks on the Hoe. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Park Keepers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dustbin Men. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Fish and Chips. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Butchers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Window Dresser. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Escalator. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Underwear. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jubilee Day. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Off-Loading. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Handel and Liszt. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Rusty Car. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Packing the Car. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tic-Tac Man. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Going Towards Art. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Union Street. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The War Cry. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Musical Evening. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Getting Ready. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Fun Fur. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Dancer. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Staircase. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Girls on the Town. Artwork by Beryl Cook

A Cartwheel for Billy. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cane Chairs. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dinner for One. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Walkies. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Gardener on the Hoe. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Elvira's Cafe II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Market. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Auction Room. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Car Boot Sale. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Telephone. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Bald Lady. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Harrods. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Tote. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Private View. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dining Out. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sailors and Sweethearts. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Going Swimming. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Black Leather. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sailors and Seagulls. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Breakfast Time. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Elvira's Cafe I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Girl with Tattoos. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ticklish. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sailors. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Song and Dance. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Satin Dresses. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hen Party II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Plymouth by Day Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Terminator. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Checkout Girl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Public Library. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hairdressing Salon. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Summer Afternoon. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Carnival in Plymouth. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Salvation Army. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Teddy Boy. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Sales. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Criterion. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sweeneys. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Beside the Seaside. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hips and Chips. Artwork by Beryl Cook

A Short Pause. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Road Sweepers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pic'n Mix. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dancing on the Bar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Mop Heads. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Two Men and Small Lady. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Kissing Time. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dog in the Dolphin. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sweet Charity. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Strippergram. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bouncers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Girls in a Taxi. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Man with Blue Eyes. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ted and Heinrich. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Shopping. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tesco. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tattoo Artists. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ladies. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Shoe Shop. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Lingerie Shop. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cafe de Paris. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Corselette. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Manipulators. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jazz Pub. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Leather Bar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ladies Night. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Karaoke. Artwork by Beryl Cook

A Good Little Runner. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Friday Night. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Elephant. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Salon Philip. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Russian Tea Room. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Museum of Modern Art. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cocktails for Three. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bus Ride. Artwork by Beryl Cook

White with Rage. Artwork by Beryl Cook

“To Go”. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Coney Island. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Street Market. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Nathans. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bar and Barbara. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Howard Johnson Cafe. Artwork by Beryl Cook

De Cocoa and Hot Chocolate. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jackpot. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Lady of Marseilles. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Gare du Nord. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Miguel in the Ramblas. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango Bar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tres Amigos Cantina. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ladies of the Watchtower. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Watching Television. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Red Hot Poker. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Lovers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Attending the Plants. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Rhubarb. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sport and Recreation Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tennis. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Footballers on the Downs. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Morning Run. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Magical Evening at Glyndebourne. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Balletomanes. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Tiger. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dogs II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tally Ho. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Personal Services I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Three for a Quango. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Virgin and Child. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hair. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Fairy Dell. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Fuchsia Fairies. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Private Eye Cover. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bangs Disco. Artwork by Beryl Cook

By the Clyde. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Doing the Saunter. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sunday Afternoon. Artwork by Beryl Cook

End of Term. Artwork by Beryl Cook

America Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dyno Rod. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Breakfast at the Royalton Hotel. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Slot Terrace No. 4. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Woman with Cigar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Botanical Gardens. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hollywood Cafe. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Big Olives or Little Olives. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Restaurant Chartier. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cafe de L'Opera. Artwork by Beryl Cook

El Paraguas Rojo. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tenerife Nights. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango in Bar Sur. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango Busking. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Walkies in Buenos Aires. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Now Nudge. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Percy at the Fridge. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sunbathing. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Mum in Hammock. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bowling. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ladies' Match. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Mixed Doubles. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bicyclist. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cha Cha Cha. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Bijou Trio. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bingo! Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pantomime Dance. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dogs III. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Flights of Fancy Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sultry Afternoon. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Through the Keyhole. Artwork by Beryl Cook

St. Francis and the Birds. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jonah and the Whale. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Queen of the Fairies. Artwork by Beryl Cook

A Picnic. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Doing the Lambada. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Round Britain Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Motorway Cafe. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jazz in the Winter. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Shopping Mall. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Audubon Park. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Doing the Cajun Two-Step. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bryant Park. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Park Bench. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Lunch in the Gardens. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Revolving Door. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Reading the Newspaper. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Rumba. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Twins. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Globetrotting Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bodega Bohemia. Artwork by Beryl Cook

La Paloma Dancehall. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Reflections. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cafe Tortini. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cruising I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Reading Sunday Papers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Felix and Lottie I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Leopardskin Coat. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Strawberry Pickers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sabotage. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Six Thousand Women Running. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Art Class. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Playground Slide. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Applause. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Lady Wrestlers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pool Table. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Party Girls. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pig in a Wheelbarrow. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Birds in St. James's Park. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dogs I. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Virgo. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Personal Services II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Come Dancing. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Noah's Ark. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Brian on a Motorbike. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Goodbye, Elvis! Artwork by Beryl Cook

Queen Dancing. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Rab C. Nesbitt. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Accordion Player. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Little Chef. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Saturday Evening. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Chinese Restaurant. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jazz in the Summer. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Beer Garden. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Party Boys. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Strappy Shoes. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Jackson Square. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Chicken Suits. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Hosts and Hostesses. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Rye Over Rocks. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Lobsters. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Dancing on the QE2. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Ullo Cheri. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Rialto Bridge. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tenerife Days. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango Band. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Tango in San Telmo. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Cruising II. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Homes and Gardens Beryl. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Divine Visitation. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Garden Centre. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pretty Wood. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Footballers. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Wheels. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The British Eight. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Pianistes. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Musicians. Artwork by Beryl Cook

At the Cinema. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Bridge Party. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Animal Kingdom. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Basil Warthog. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Jaguar. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Miro. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Susie. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Taurus. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Wedding Photograph. Artwork by Beryl Cook

A Fine Figure. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Sunflower. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Vultures. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Nativity. Artwork by Beryl Cook

The Peaceable Kingdom. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Fairies and Pixies. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Two Greek Gods. Artwork by Beryl Cook

Birthday Surprises. Artwork by Beryl Cook
10 Sep 2012 10:45:00,
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