Beryl Cook

Life & Legacy

Beryl Cook, OBE (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008) was a British painter. 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 work often depicted flamboyant and extrovert characters very different from herself. Although widely popular and recognised as one of the best-known contemporary British artists, Cook was never accepted by the art establishment.
Since her death in 2008, Beryl's son John and granddaughter Sophie have run the official Beryl Cook website providing insights into her life.