An in-depth look at the work and career of this fascinating artist, who is having a profound impact on contemporary painting

Nigel Cooke is known for his complex paintings, which thematically explore the meeting point between creative labour, consciousness, art history, consumer culture, and nature. Primarily centred on meticulously painted, large-scale urban landscapes, which he calls 'hybrid theatrical spaces', Cooke's work employs disparate styles, often integrating trompe l'oeil miniature rocks and trees with backdrops of graffiti-marked buildings, to create scenes conveying obscure and macabre narratives. This survey of Cooke's career to date explores the artist's style, approach, and impact on contemporary art and includes his very latest works, completed shortly before publication.

About the Author

Darian Leader is a writer and psychoanalyst and a founding member of the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research.

Tony Godfrey is a writer, curator, and researcher.

Marie Darrieussecq is a novelist currently teaching at the University of Rhode Island.

Nigel Cooke is represented by Pace (London, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing) and Blum & Poe (Los Angeles).

Reviews

On the Contemporary Artists Series

'The boldest, best executed, and most far-reaching publishing project devoted to contemporary art. These books will revolutionize the way contemporary art is presented and written about.' - Artforum

'The combination of intelligent analysis, personal insight, useful facts and plentiful pictures is a superb format invaluable for specialists but also interesting for casual readers, it makes these books a must for the library of anyone who cares about contemporary art.' - Time Out

'A unique series of informative monographs on individual artists.' - The Sunday Times

'Gives the reader the impression of a personal encounter with the artists. Apart from the writing which is lucid and illuminating, it is undoubtedly the wealth of lavish illustrations which makes looking at these books a satisfying entertainment.' - The Art Book

Book Information
ISBN 9780714870915
Author Darian Leader
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Phaidon Press Ltd
Publisher Phaidon Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 1057g
Dimensions(mm) 290mm * 250mm * 15mm