Chini Gallery

Period: 9/28 - 11/10

British artist Christopher Cook (b. 1959) presents his first solo exhibition in Taiwan, titled Seeker. Cook's graphite drawings are held in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Yale Center for British Art, and the Fitzwilliam Museum. He has also been recognized with distinguished accolades, including the John Moores Painting Prize and the Sunny Art Prize.

The exhibition showcases Cook’s distinctive liquid graphite works, a unique medium he has developed. The show encapsulates the inspiration Cook has garnered from his recent travels across Asia, reflecting his profound understanding of multiculturalism, contemporary political issues, and historical complexities. Cook has adapted surrealist techniques into his own creative approach, transforming social reflections and understandings into inquiries rich with philosophical and artistic dimensions, thus presenting a distinctly novel exploratory perspective.

Following a journey to India, Cook transitioned from his earlier high-key colour paintings to his current monochromatic liquid graphite creations. The flowing texture of liquid graphite, reminiscent of ink, introduces an element of uncertainty and a series of surprises and freedoms into his work. During the image formation process, the fluidity of the medium gives the work an appearance of effortless spontaneity. In reality, it involves days and weeks of what may seem like futile but essential "rehearsals," ultimately leading to the discovery of his inner visual language. For Cook, the term “seeker” not only captures his approach to life but also aptly describes his creative process.

Previously, Cook’s international exhibitions have focused on the 17th-century still life through a post-colonial lens. The exhibition, Seeker, shifts the focus to cultural imagery influenced by Eastern ink traditions, drawn from Cook’s time in Taiwan in 2023, while also featuring smaller works inspired by Persian miniature compositions from his studio in the UK. Cook consciously constructs coordinated images through complex visual language and knowledge frameworks, deeply embodying the "discovery" spirit of the exhibition's theme and showcasing his philosophical engagement through artistic practice.