Exhibition of Barrie Cook's work opens at MOMA Wales

An exhibition of artist Barrie Cook’s bold, abstract paintings of the past 45 years opens at the Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth on Saturday (September 12) and runs until November 7.

This exhibition has been selected by Lucinda Middleton, Richard and Ann Mayou Fund curator at MOMA Wales, from the range of works that Cook holds in his studio in Cornwall.

“Selecting pieces from throughout his career was challenging as so many have been sold," she explained. "It is wonderful that his 86 years have not dimmed his enthusiasm to experiment and develop his paintings.

“His trademark use of the airbrush has been occasionally interrupted by the use of a normal brush but still with an emphasis on his intention to ‘break the habit of the brushstroke mentality’."

When explaining his work, Cook says: “Painting is a way of thinking. Each picture requires its own special logic. I use paintings to hint at, or make manifest, the unseen and the intangible. I see them as an aid to contemplation and meditation.”

Born in Birmingham, Cook graduated from Birmingham College of Art in 1954. He initially taught in schools and then art colleges, moving his family to Wales in 1974 to become senior fellow in fine art, painting at Cardiff College of Art, setting up a studio in the docklands.

In 1977, he was Gregynog Fellow and continued to live in Wales even when his work took him to become head of fine art at Birmingham Polytechnic. However, Cornwall was his great love since childhood holidays spent there and, finding kindred spirits in the likes of Sir Terry Frost, he moved to the Lizard in 1992 and has lived there ever since.

Cook has exhibited his work regularly since the 1960s. He has been a prize winner twice at the John Moores Painting Exhibition in Liverpool, artist in residence at the Fishguard Art Festival and the National Museum & Art Gallery, Wales and won first prize in the Mid Wales Open in 1982.

He has had solo exhibitions throughout the UK as well as shows across Europe and in the USA.

His works are held in many public collections including Tate, National Museum of Wales, Contemporary Art Society of Wales, Arts Council of Great Britain, Bangor University, Newport Museum and Art Gallery, City of Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

MOMA Wales is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Picture captions:

Barrie Cook and two examples of his work.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor.

The Museum of Modern Art, Wales (MOMA, WALES) was established in 1991 alongside The Tabernacle in Machynlleth, Powys. It is owned and run by Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust which is funded by grants and public donations. Throughout the year the galleries show contemporary art, featuring leading artists from Wales, works from the growing Tabernacle Collection, and in August selected entries from the Tabernacle Art Competition. Many of the works of art are for sale. The current exhibition programme is supported by the Arts Council of Wales.

In May 2015 "The Tannery" was opened after many years of fundraising and restoration of this historic industrial building. This contains two galleries, connected to the main building by a bridge, one of which is specifically for sculpture. This brings the number of exhibition spaces up to seven.

For more information please contact Lucinda Middleton, Richard and Ann Mayou Fund Curator lucinda@momawales.org.uk 01654 703355 or Barrie Cook on 01326 240599.