Ian Cook (artist)
Ian Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 April 1983[1] |
| Nationality | British |
| Website | Popbang |
Ian Cook is an English artist. He became famous for painting pictures using the wheels of remote-control cars. He is also the founder, director, and artist for PopBang Colour, a company based in Birmingham which helps him publicise his art.
Early life
Cook studied at Langley Secondary School, Solihull from 1994–1999. He then went to Sutton Coldfield College, where he would later teach, to study a BTEC National Diploma, for Illustration. Finally, he attended Winchester School of Art for Fine art, and a BA Hons for painting.[2] He studied at the Latvian art academy in Riga, Latvia for a three-month period.[1] It was there he first created the idea of using vehicles within his work. In Latvia he produced artwork associated with Range Rover through photography and collected merchandise.[1]
He is a lecturer in fine art and visual studies at Sutton Coldfield College's design centre.[3]
Style
Cook dips the cars' tyres in acrylic paint. He then creates the brush strokes by driving the small vehicles in short bursts over the canvas. This is known as an Auto Drawing.[4] He also uses full-size car tyres for large blocks of colour.[5]
He first began using this artwork style when one Boxing Day he just got a large canvas, placed it on the floor, and applied some paint to a toy car. He then moves the car's wheels until the painting is done.[6] Cook has also used a large truck to create the larger solid lines.[7]
He creates some pieces in his studio, and others in public places for shows or promotions.[8]
Famous pieces
Cook's artwork has been featured on Blue Peter and Top Gear. He has a studio at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire.[9][10]
In October 2008, Cook made a portrait of Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton the size of two London double-decker buses, which was unveiled by Tower Bridge, London. Cook used up to 50 different cars dipped in coloured paints to create the image, which is eight metres high and 12 metres wide.[4][11]
In March 2011 Cook featured on the ITV breakfast show Daybreak, where he created a portrait of Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley as well as the Daybreak logo.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "Artist Profile Page". myartspace. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ "Ian Cook". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
- ^ Suart, Paul. "Birmingham teacher Ian Cook paints a winning F1 picture – Birmingham News – News". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ a b "Lewis Hamilton Painting, Artist Ian Cook Uses Cars Instead Of Brushes | UK News | Sky News". News.sky.com. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ John Mahoney (2008-07-25). "British Artist Paints Using RC Cars As His Brushes". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ "Artist Ian Cook paints the cars". Yellowwheels.com. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ "Artist Ian Cook uses motor vehicles to create giant image of a racing car". Metro.co.uk. 2010-06-06. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ UK (2008-05-31). "Solihull Council – Popbang@solihull – Artist Ian Cook". Solihull.gov.uk. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ a b "Ian Cook – Popbang Colour". Heritage Motor Centre. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ http://www.rallybuzz.com/popbang-colour-heritage-motor-centre/
- ^ "Pop art with Popbang Colour". motormorph.com. 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2011-09-19.