Cook, Beryl (1926–)
Cook, Beryl (1926–)
English painter. Born 1926 in Surrey, England; m. John Cook (merchant mariner, co-owner of pub), 1946; children: John Cook (b. 1950).
Painter of humorous and penetrating depictions of family, friends and everyday life, left school at 14 and worked in a variety of jobs; was a showgirl in touring production of The Gypsy Princess and also worked in fashion industry, which inspired lifelong interest in style; lived with family in Southern Rhodesia (1951–63); moved to Plymouth, where she ran a busy theatrical boarding house in summer months and began to paint; came to prominence with 1st exhibition at Plymouth Arts Centre (1975) and was offered exhibitions at London's Whitechapel and Portal galleries; published 1st book The Works (1978); produced many books, among them Beryl Cook: The Bumper Edition (2001); had over 15 solo exhibitions; contributed painting The Royal Couple to Golden Jubilee Exhibition (2002); expanded into broadcast media when boisterous characters from her paintings starred in Bosom Pals, 2-part animated tv series made for BBC (2004). Awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE, 1995).