Cook's Tours: Beryl's Jolly Characters Take a Trip to the Shops

The London-based gallery Studio Voltaire will bring the instantly recognisable work of painter Beryl Cook to a somewhat unlikely location this September: the discount designer shopping centre, Bicester Village.

Opening in September, to mark what would have been Cook’s 100th birthday, the Oxfordshire retail destination will open a mile-long open-air installation of life-size cutouts of the artist’s playful characters—inspired by her observations of everyday life in Plymouth—alongside large-scale murals of her best known figures. 

Sophie Cook, Beryl’s granddaughter, described the artist’s family as “thrilled” with the project. “My grandmother loved nothing more than watching people enjoy themselves, laugh and dress up,” she said.

“Seeing her characters come to life along the vibrant streets of the Village is the perfect, playful tribute to her life and work.”

Cook’s characters will be transformed into merchandise at a pop-up by Studio Voltaire’s retail arm, House of Voltaire, ranging from £9 fridge magnets to limited edition prints priced at up to £70,000. Unique merchandise from artists who closely influenced Cook, including Stanley Spencer, Edward Burra and Louis Wain, will also be on sale. 

James Lambert, deputy chairman at Value Retail, which operates the shopping outlet, said in a statement that Cook’s takeover will offer guests “a completely unique cultural experience”. He added: “Crucially, we are incredibly proud that this collaboration launches a three-year partnership supporting Studio Voltaire’s vital learning and community initiatives.”

This partnership will see Bicester Village provide funding to Studio Voltaire’s learning programme, expanding creative programming with local schools, colleges and community groups. According to a statement, the collaboration is intended to champion those with limited access to creative opportunities by providing free, artist-led workshops and skills-development sessions.

Cook was a self-taught artist who, despite huge public popularity, a range of merchandise and even a BBC cartoon, was snubbed by the traditional art world. However, in 2024, Studio Voltaire staged the duo show Beryl Cook/Tom of Finland, pairing Cook’s pieces with the late Tom of Finland’s positive, homoerotic drawings and prompting a reappraisal of her work.

One of Cook’s most notable works, Breakfast at Elvira’s (1996), a depiction of a beloved Plymouth café, will be recreated for the installation, while her depictions of dogs, cats and pigeons will be placed among Bicester’s greenery.