SAFE AS HOUSES

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Will Cooke’s new suite of paintings explores the link between architecture and the natural world. Cooke’s painting practice has long investigated the similarities and differences between architecture, colour theory, industrial design and the psychological. These works act as inverted studies of the sun as it oscillates throughout the day and performs as our overarching light source – both literally and figuratively. 

For this series, Cooke takes his starting point from the work of Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and his poetic use of light and space. By partitioning reflected light from swathes of finely atomised colour, he borrows from Ando’s philosophy of duality; solid/void, light/dark, stark/serene. 

Will Cooke is a Sydney-based painter known for his boldly reductive, geometric artworks. Cooke is primarily interested in the histories of industrial production, architecture and materiality. He utilises these subjects as prompts for visual metaphor – creating liminal works that extend from and beyond literal catalyst. Cooke’s artwork embraces colour, shape and tone and these themes have been explored through multiple mediums including aluminium, paper, light and installation. Cooke has been featured in numerous exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Notably, he was recently awarded a major flooring commission by architecture firm Hassell Studio for Deloitte’s HQ in Circular Quay Tower, Sydney.

Please join us for opening celebrations on Thursday 22 August, 6–8pm. 

CBD Gallery, 72 Erskine Sydney

Will Cooke 

Moving towards the light, 2024

primer, acrylic on aluminium, lacquered clear coat, powdercoated aluminium frame

121.6x101.6cm