Beryl Cook, one of Britain’s most-loved artists, is being honoured with an ambitious installation to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday.
Cook, who died aged 81 in 2008, is known for her instantly recognisable, colourful paintings of joyous and often humorous moments in everyday life.
Her most enduring images depicted glamorous women in nightclubs, eating in cafés or enjoying raucous hen parties – and now, members of the public will be able to immerse themselves in Cook’s works, thanks to a mile-long open-air installation at Bicester Village.
Spanning the length and breadth of the shopping village, the display – which opens on Thursday (10 September) – will feature life-size cutouts of some of Cook’s most recognisable characters, and large-scale murals from her paintings.
Shoppers will also be able to pose for a photo with a full-scale recreation of Breakfast at Elvira’s, Cook’s famous 1996 painting of a busy morning at a seaside café.
Even the bushes and trees at Bicester Village will host works, with recreations of Cook’s rotund pigeons, cats and dogs nestled among the branches.
The characters will lead visitors to a House of Voltaire pop-up, where shoppers can purchase items from an exclusive capsule collection celebrating Cook, with prices ranging from just £7 to £70,000.
The project has been organised in close collaboration with Cook’s family. Her granddaughter Sophie Cook said: “My grandmother loved nothing more than watching people enjoy themselves, laugh and dress up.
“Seeing her characters come to life along the vibrant streets of the Village is the perfect, playful tribute to her life and work.”
James Lambert OBE, deputy chairman of the Bicester Collection, told The Independent that Cook’s “penchant for documenting everyday British life through such a joyful lens makes her work a natural fit for Bicester Village, a destination centred around the enjoyment of shopping, dining and time spent together”.
“She is a true national treasure and the cultural significance of her pieces deserves to be celebrated,” he continued. “Bicester Village is delighted to collaborate with House of Voltaire to honour Cook’s enduring legacy in what would have been her 100th birthday year.”
Lambert added that he hopes the installation “will create plenty of moments to make [guests] smile”.
“Designed to be seen, shared and enjoyed, this cultural experience crafted in collaboration with House of Voltaire celebrates Cook’s exuberant painting style and her lifelong fascination with people, social encounters and the simple pleasures of daily life,” he said.
“Guests are invited to spend the day in the playful world of one of Britain’s best-loved artists as they shop, eat and stroll amongst a larger-than-life cast of characters finding joy in everyday pursuits.”
The project also marks the launch of a major three-year partnership between Bicester Village and Studio Voltaire, which will see the former provide funding to the studio’s Learning Programme.
The programme sees the not-for-profit Studio Voltaire work with local schools, colleges and community groups, championing those with limited access to creative opportunities by providing free, artist-led workshops, drop-in activities, and skills-development sessions.
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