Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland exhibition at Studio Voltaire spotlights two extraordinary creators

By John Freeman on May 30, 2024

Running now at Studio Voltaire, in Clapham, London, is Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland, an exhibition of work by two extraordinary creators under one roof, with special talks offered in accompaniment through the summer.

“For the first time, this major exhibition at Studio Voltaire brings together the work of two cultural icons, Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland,” say the gallery. “Fleshly excesses are explored in pairings that underscore their works as playful and political.

“In pairing their work, including archival materials which have never been seen by the public, this presentation will provide a significant refocus and reveal interconnected ideas surrounding gender, sexuality, taste and class.⁠

“Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland remain profoundly influential within both popular culture and specific subcultures. This major two-person presentation will bring together their work for the very first time, some of which has never been seen by the public, unveiling important and revealing connections between both practices.”

Beryl Cook (1926 – 2008) was a painter renowned for her exuberant style and descriptions of everyday life, whose most enduring images are of larger-than-life women carousing in nightclubs, eating in cafés or enjoying ribald hen parties, rendered in graphic and colourful forms.⁠

Tom of Finland (1920 – 1991) was a master draftsman whose pioneering depictions of homosexual machismo in his images of bikers, soldiers, cowboys, sailors and labourers broadly represent Queer, Leather and muscle communities.

⁠Based in Clapham, London, Studio Voltaire has been one of the UK’s leading not–for–profit arts organisations for over 25 years.

• Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland runs until 25th August 2024 Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10.00am – 5.00pm | Studio Voltaire, 1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR | Web: studiovoltaire.org

Studio Voltaire Assistants will lead introductions to the exhibition on alternate Saturdays. We welcome questions, responses and discussion. Please meet at the gallery entrance. Drop-in, no booking required: 1 June, 15 June, 29 June, 13 July, 27 July, 10 August, 24 August 2024. 3 – 3.30 pm.

With thanks to Paul Gravett

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.