Blog - Information about some Barry Cook paintings

Wren Boys 21cm x 60cm

Wren Boys is about the religious custom held in Catholic countries especially Ireland and Spain to celebrate Saint Stephen's Day - 26th December. On that day children and youths would dress up and go out to 'hunt the wren'. They would either catch some or make effigies of them in homemade cages and would then go around their village, knocking on doors and demanding 'Money for the King'. This ritual was linked to the story that Saint Stephen was given up by a wren singing and was then caught by Roman soldiers. The 'King' comes from the legend that the wren outwitted all the other birds including the eagle to become King of the Birds.

Tree of Life Isaiah 77cm x 110cm

There are many translations and interpretations of the passage in the Book of Isaiah regarding the Lion and the Lamb. This painting looks to a time when the Lion will be at peace with the Calf, the Leopard with the Kid and the Wolf with the Lamb. The Serpent shall eat dust. And the Boy and all of the People of the World will be at peace.

Rings of Saturn 21cm x 26cm

This painting is based on a beautiful love song by Nick Cave written about his wife. The painting depicts Nick as a fox and his wife as a flying stripey creature at the top left of the picture. Their cat is stretched out on a rug beneath them. On the rug are gathered all of their family and friends celebrating their love.

Milk 40cm x 52cm

This is Spilt Milk Big Time! It shows a crazy chaotic scene where various incompetent fools attempt to collect and bottle milk with disasterous results. The poor cow and the Wise Blue Owl of Wisdom look on in total disbelief!

All work copyright Barry Cook