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Matthew Cook – War Artist.
by Dorrell. November 2018.

For those of you who are not already familiar with the artwork of Matthew Cook, then you are truly missing out. As well as having won commissions from major corporations his illustrations have been featured in the Times newspaper. Regardless of subject matter they conjure up a certain atmosphere and are compelling to the eye, with their accurate perspectives, perfectly balanced colours and spot on contrast between light and dark. His War Collection, concerning itself with the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be interpreted as a modern version of the First World War artwork documenting life and death in the trenches.

Indeed the artist’s favourite piece was created in open ground, under fire from insurgents with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. A distinctly dangerous situation to be in when holding a rifle let alone a pen, yet it presents a scene of apparent tranquillity and beauty.

As Edward Hopper’s compositions manage to capture little snippets of everyday life, so too do Cook’s, albeit in the un-controlled environment of a warzone. They share an honest glimpse into the conflict from an average soldier’s perspective, a perspective which was their everyday scenes. Through a selection of line drawings and coloured illustrations, the collection covers a diverse range of subjects from military jet aircraft and foot patrols to unloading aid trucks and wrecks of war.

So why then are Mr Cook’s pictures so compelling and seemingly real. Far from seeking to glorify war they are merely documenting. The art derives from a personal perspective, that of a soldier - an artist, who was actually there, having served on numerous tours. The mastery of his chosen medium and an understanding of the military situation create a certain accuracy that is hard to replicate.

Depending on the circumstances and time allowance, he would quickly sketch out the scene in situ, especially crucial for moving subjects or whilst taking fire, then add colour using acrylic inks, giving his line drawings a deeper and real dimension. This careful choice of medium is not only a practical one but it is a key factor as to why the finished pieces are so striking. His collection shares a deeper understanding of these conflicts.

Military aside, Cook’s portfolio encompasses many different topics, such as sport, travel and industry, which are just as atmospheric, if not more so and should be given ample time to be explored. The complete War Collection can be viewed at his dedicated website, whilst prints can be ordered directly from the artist himself.

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