Ian Cook (artist)
Encyclopedia
Ian Cook is an English artist. He became famous for painting pictures using the wheels of remote-control car
s. He is also the founder, director, and artist for PopBang Colour, a company based in Birmingham which helps him publicise his art.
from 1990–1999. 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.
He studied at the Latvian art academy in Riga
, Latvia
for a three-month period. 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.
He is a lecturer in fine art and visual studies at Sutton Coldfield College's design centre.
. He then creates the brush strokes by driving the small vehicles in short bursts over the canvas. This is known as an Auto Drawing. He also uses full-size car tyres for large blocks of colour.
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. Cook has also used a large truck to create the larger solid lines.
He creates some pieces in his studio, and others in public places for shows or promotions.
and Top Gear. He has a studio at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire
.
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.
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.
Radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter...
s. 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, SolihullSolihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
from 1990–1999. 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
Winchester School of Art
Winchester School of Art is the art school of the University of Southampton, situated 10 miles north of Southampton in the city of Winchester near the south coast of England.- Overview :...
for Fine art, and a BA Hons for painting.
He studied at the Latvian art academy in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
for a three-month period. It was there he first created the idea of using vehicles within his work. In Latvia he produced artwork associated with Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
through photography and collected merchandise.
He is a lecturer in fine art and visual studies at Sutton Coldfield College's design centre.
Style
Cook dips the cars' tyres in acrylic paintAcrylic paint
Acrylic paint is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry...
. He then creates the brush strokes by driving the small vehicles in short bursts over the canvas. This is known as an Auto Drawing. He also uses full-size car tyres for large blocks of colour.
He first began using this artwork style when one Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
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. Cook has also used a large truck to create the larger solid lines.
He creates some pieces in his studio, and others in public places for shows or promotions.
Famous pieces
Cook's artwork has been featured on Blue PeterBlue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
and Top Gear. He has a studio at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
.
In October 2008, Cook made a portrait of Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, MBE is a British Formula One racing driver from England, currently racing for the McLaren team. He was the Formula One World Champion.Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire...
the size of two London double-decker buses, which was unveiled by Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
, 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.
In March 2011 Cook featured on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
breakfast show Daybreak
Daybreak (ITV)
Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
, where he created a portrait of Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles is a British television and radio presenter, currently working for ITV Sport presenting football coverage....
and Christine Bleakley
Christine Bleakley
Christine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
as well as the Daybreak logo.