Steven Cook
Encyclopedia
Steven Cook is a British artist
, photographer, and graphic design
er.
Best known for his work in the comics field, Cook was art director and designer for the British comic 2000 AD (1988–2001). During this time he produced a number of striking cover illustrations along with its distinctive, iconic logo still in use to this day. He has also worked for Marvel Comics
, Deadline magazine
, Manga publishing, DC comics
and Vertigo comics for whom he created the anniversary cover for VERTIGO X, a special edition celebrating ten years of DC's adult-fiction imprint.
His other notable work outside of the comics industry includes three album sleeves for Asian Dub Foundation
(Tank
, Time Freeze
, A History of Now), William Orbit
(Strange Cargo III
) and Last Man Standing False Starts & Broken Promises, which was selected in September 2008 by Peter Saville and Dylan Jones
for the London exhibition 'SPIN - The Art of Record Design'.
More recently, April 2010 saw Warner Bros.
utilising Cook's comic book logo for The Losers
film campaign. Steven Cook is a lecturer at the University of the Arts London
.
Over the past ten years he has produced a body of work that sees him remixing his own photography and fusing it with imagery from a bygone era. With this series ‘Alternity’ he creates random scenes from a parallel universe, where the boundaries of time have been compromised and liaisons between the inhabitants of different eras can occur in secret.
Exhibited in New York and London, his first show featured a live performance by writer Grant Morrison
, reading a specially crafted monologue to accompany the images, with the musical accompaniment of Ysanne Spevack
.
. He initially worked as a display artist for leading department stores before taking on the role of stylist for Carlton Photographic Studios in London where he realised his passion for photography. This was followed by a stint in a small advertising agency in Surrey as photographer and graphic designer, working on ads and concert programmes for musicians Gary Numan
and The Boomtown Rats
. During this time he was also moonlighting as a house photographer for a circuit of prestigious restaurants and clubs in Knightsbridge and the West End, being on hand to photograph their celebrity clientele. A chance meeting with British photographer Bruce Fleming gave Cook the opportunity to assist and learn from this respected artist, best known for his classic images of Jimi Hendrix
in the 60s.
In 1983, Marvel UK
’s Alan McKenzie
, who was editor of the long-running Starburst
magazine hired Cook as photographer and designer. Cook became art editor in 1985 and completely redesigned the title, giving it a logo that was in use for 24 years. He followed this with a revamp of Doctor Who Magazine
and as its new art editor, came to an arrangement with Marvel and Doctor Who
’s producer John Nathan-Turner
to freelance as photographer on set, supplying exclusive images for the magazine.
The next commission from Marvel saw Cook combine his skills as stylist and photographer to produce the cover images for another of their licensed magazines, Hasbro
’s Sindy
. Having previously styled mannequins during his window display period, Cook set about re-defining doll photography by shooting outdoors on-location, thereby pre-empting the “Blythe” series by 14 years.
This was followed by a commission from Hasbro themselves to produce a “Cook style” Sindy cover for their 1988 catalogue.
In that same year, Alan McKenzie, who was now working on Fleetway’s 2000 AD, recommended Cook as designer for their new-look that was being planned. After submitting a few preliminary ideas he was taken on to completely re-vamp the title giving it the logo that has since become its brand identity. He also assimilated Japanese and Thai typography into the design aesthetic as a pre-cursor to the Manga
craze.
In 1988, Fleetway
’s Steve MacManus
commissioned both Cook and Rian Hughes
to design a new title that was to be called 50/50. The design duties were split so that they would each design half of the comic, Cook responsible for The New Statesmen and Hughes the Third World War. This title later became known as Crisis and forged a strong alliance between Cook and Hughes who, between them were designing most of the British comics and graphic novels of this period.
As well as the design for New Statesmen, Cook hired fashion designers to style the clothing of the characters in the strip, which was a first for British comics.
During this period 1988 - 89, known as the Second Summer of Love, Cook was also doing editorial shots for Deadline magazine
, working for Rhythm King Records
and designing for William Orbit
and his new label Guerilla Records
, for whom he produced a distinctive blue camouflage sleeve influenced by a Thai Air-force shirt that he’d found on his travels in South-East Asia.
1996 saw Cook producing his first digitally manipulated photographs for the covers of Manga Mania magazine. There were concerns by the publishers that his imagery looked more suitable for Skin Two magazine, which became even more evident when Cook was commissioned by Skin Two themselves to produce a cover and fashion feature with his collaborators, Alexander Brattell
and Grant Morrison. The subsequent ‘Story of Zero’ was nominated for an Erotic Oscar in 1999.
Diametrically opposed to this, Cook was back on the dolls again producing elegantly styled and manipulated photographs for Egmont
’s Barbie
Magazine to which he contributed more than 60 covers.
Continuing as art director for 2000 AD until 2001 he consistently updated the look of the title commissioning Rian Hughes
to design several exclusive fonts, which alongside Cook’s graphic style gave it a unique identity on the newsstands.
Cook also appeared in the 2010 documentary Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods
.
Logo design for:
Logo design for:
Steven Cook's Alternity fetishises the fetish. Careful digital manipulation places these proper ladies and gentlemen in a parallel world; a hyperreal interzone of rubber, piercings and tattoos." Warren Ellis
2002 *
"Steven Cook is an artist who works with digital media and photography. His latest series of work Alternity, manifests possible pasts in mendacious but startlingly believable photographic images. These alternate narratives are strangely familiar, yet have a sense of disquiet as histories collide and memories blur." Roy Voss 2002 *
"Any computer aid can be misused and Photoshop's facilities for manipulation of images have led to some less-than-stunning results, Cook's work is a lesson in how it should be done" Tony Mitchell 1999
Fetish - Masterpieces of Erotic Fantasy Photography
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, photographer, and graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
er.
Best known for his work in the comics field, Cook was art director and designer for the British comic 2000 AD (1988–2001). During this time he produced a number of striking cover illustrations along with its distinctive, iconic logo still in use to this day. He has also worked for Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Deadline magazine
Deadline magazine
Deadline was a British comic magazine published between 1988 and 1995.Created by 2000 AD stalwarts Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon, Deadline featured a mix of comic strips and written articles targeted at older readers...
, Manga publishing, DC comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and Vertigo comics for whom he created the anniversary cover for VERTIGO X, a special edition celebrating ten years of DC's adult-fiction imprint.
His other notable work outside of the comics industry includes three album sleeves for Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation are a British electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence...
(Tank
Tank (album)
Tank is the sixth studio album by British alternative electronica band Asian Dub Foundation.-Track listing:# Flyover # Tank # Hope # Round Up # Oil # Powerlines # Who Runs the Place...
, Time Freeze
Time Freeze 1995/2007: The Best Of
Time Freeze 1995/2007: The Best of Asian Dub Foundation is a compilation album by the Asian Dub Foundation, released in March 2007 on the EMI label.- Track listing :#"Rebel Warrior"#"Box"...
, A History of Now), William Orbit
William Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
(Strange Cargo III
Strange Cargo III
Strange Cargo III is the fourth album by electronic instrumentalist William Orbit. It is the third in a series of similarly titled albums: Strange Cargo , Strange Cargo II, and Strange Cargo Hinterland....
) and Last Man Standing False Starts & Broken Promises, which was selected in September 2008 by Peter Saville and Dylan Jones
Dylan Jones
Dylan Jones is a journalist who is editor of British GQ. Having won the BSME Editor of the Year Award four times during his tenure at GQ, Jones was also recognised for the Brand Building Initiative of the Year 2007 for the annual GQ Men of the Year Awards.Jones attended Central Saint Martins...
for the London exhibition 'SPIN - The Art of Record Design'.
More recently, April 2010 saw Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
utilising Cook's comic book logo for The Losers
The Losers (film)
The Losers is a 2010 American action based on the adaptation of the Vertigo comic book series of the same name by Andy Diggle. Directed by Sylvain White, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans....
film campaign. Steven Cook is a lecturer at the University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...
.
Over the past ten years he has produced a body of work that sees him remixing his own photography and fusing it with imagery from a bygone era. With this series ‘Alternity’ he creates random scenes from a parallel universe, where the boundaries of time have been compromised and liaisons between the inhabitants of different eras can occur in secret.
Exhibited in New York and London, his first show featured a live performance by writer Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, reading a specially crafted monologue to accompany the images, with the musical accompaniment of Ysanne Spevack
Ysanne Spevack
Ysanne Spevack is a British violinist, composer and string arranger best known for her work recordings for the Smashing Pumpkins, Dub Gabriel featuring Michael Stipe, Tiesto, and Asian Dub Foundation...
.
Biography
Cook is an alumnus of the College of Distributive Trades before it became a part of the London College of CommunicationLondon College of Communication
The London College of Communication is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, located in Elephant and Castle. It has about 5,000 students on 60 courses in media and design courses preparing students for careers in the creative industries...
. He initially worked as a display artist for leading department stores before taking on the role of stylist for Carlton Photographic Studios in London where he realised his passion for photography. This was followed by a stint in a small advertising agency in Surrey as photographer and graphic designer, working on ads and concert programmes for musicians Gary Numan
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
and The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats were an Irish punk rock band that had a series of Irish and UK hits between 1977 and 1985. They were led by vocalist Bob Geldof.-Biography:All six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland...
. During this time he was also moonlighting as a house photographer for a circuit of prestigious restaurants and clubs in Knightsbridge and the West End, being on hand to photograph their celebrity clientele. A chance meeting with British photographer Bruce Fleming gave Cook the opportunity to assist and learn from this respected artist, best known for his classic images of Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
in the 60s.
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
’s Alan McKenzie
Alan McKenzie
Alan McKenzie is a British comics writer known for his work at 2000 AD.-Biography:McKenzie worked for Marvel UK during the early 1980s, editing Starburst, Cinema and Doctor Who Monthly magazines. After leaving the Marvel staff in 1985, he wrote several Doctor Who comic stories for the Monthly under...
, who was editor of the long-running Starburst
Starburst (magazine)
Starburst is a British science fiction online magazine published by Starburst Magazine Limited. The magazine is published every month on the 14th, with news and reviews being published daily.-History:...
magazine hired Cook as photographer and designer. Cook became art editor in 1985 and completely redesigned the title, giving it a logo that was in use for 24 years. He followed this with a revamp of Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and as its new art editor, came to an arrangement with Marvel and Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
’s producer John Nathan-Turner
John Nathan-Turner
John Nathan-Turner was the ninth producer of the long-running BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, from 1980 until it was effectively cancelled in 1989...
to freelance as photographer on set, supplying exclusive images for the magazine.
The next commission from Marvel saw Cook combine his skills as stylist and photographer to produce the cover images for another of their licensed magazines, Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
’s Sindy
Sindy
Sindy is a British fashion doll created by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in 1963. A rival to Barbie, Sindy's wholesome look and range of fashions and accessories made it the best selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970...
. Having previously styled mannequins during his window display period, Cook set about re-defining doll photography by shooting outdoors on-location, thereby pre-empting the “Blythe” series by 14 years.
This was followed by a commission from Hasbro themselves to produce a “Cook style” Sindy cover for their 1988 catalogue.
In that same year, Alan McKenzie, who was now working on Fleetway’s 2000 AD, recommended Cook as designer for their new-look that was being planned. After submitting a few preliminary ideas he was taken on to completely re-vamp the title giving it the logo that has since become its brand identity. He also assimilated Japanese and Thai typography into the design aesthetic as a pre-cursor to the Manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
craze.
In 1988, Fleetway
Fleetway
Fleetway, also known as Fleetway Publications and Fleetway Editions, was a UK publishing company which mainly produced comic magazines. For a time owned by IPC Media, they are now a division of Egmont Publishing....
’s Steve MacManus
Steve MacManus
Steve MacManus is a British comic writer and editor, particularly known for his work at 2000 AD.Born in London and educated in Devon, MacManus joined IPC in 1973, aged 20, as a sub-editor on the boys' weekly comic Valiant, until 1975 when he moved to Battle Picture Weekly under editor David Hunt...
commissioned both Cook and Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes is a British graphic designer, illustrator and comics artist, noted for his work on 2000AD, where he illustrated Robo-Hunter, Tales from Beyond Science, Really and Truly and Dan Dare, among others...
to design a new title that was to be called 50/50. The design duties were split so that they would each design half of the comic, Cook responsible for The New Statesmen and Hughes the Third World War. This title later became known as Crisis and forged a strong alliance between Cook and Hughes who, between them were designing most of the British comics and graphic novels of this period.
As well as the design for New Statesmen, Cook hired fashion designers to style the clothing of the characters in the strip, which was a first for British comics.
During this period 1988 - 89, known as the Second Summer of Love, Cook was also doing editorial shots for Deadline magazine
Deadline magazine
Deadline was a British comic magazine published between 1988 and 1995.Created by 2000 AD stalwarts Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon, Deadline featured a mix of comic strips and written articles targeted at older readers...
, working for Rhythm King Records
Rhythm King Records
Rhythm King Records Ltd was an independent record label founded in the mid 1980s by Martin Heath, Adele Nozedar, DJ Jay Strongman and James Horrocks.-Beginnings:...
and designing for William Orbit
William Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
and his new label Guerilla Records
Guerilla Records
Guerilla Records was a British record label that was founded in 1990 by William Orbit and Dick O'Dell. It featured progressive house from artists such as Bass-O-Matic, React2Rhythm, Spooky, Moody Boyz, Felix Da Housecat, and Billie Ray Martin...
, for whom he produced a distinctive blue camouflage sleeve influenced by a Thai Air-force shirt that he’d found on his travels in South-East Asia.
1996 saw Cook producing his first digitally manipulated photographs for the covers of Manga Mania magazine. There were concerns by the publishers that his imagery looked more suitable for Skin Two magazine, which became even more evident when Cook was commissioned by Skin Two themselves to produce a cover and fashion feature with his collaborators, Alexander Brattell
Alexander Brattell
Alexander Brattell is a British photographer best known for his abstract monochrome fine art prints which examine the role of visual perception in non-verbal thought.-Early years:...
and Grant Morrison. The subsequent ‘Story of Zero’ was nominated for an Erotic Oscar in 1999.
Diametrically opposed to this, Cook was back on the dolls again producing elegantly styled and manipulated photographs for Egmont
Egmont Publishing
The Egmont Group is a media corporation founded and rooted in Copenhagen, Denmark. The business area of Egmont has traditionally been magazine publishing but has over the years evolved to comprise media generally....
’s Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
Magazine to which he contributed more than 60 covers.
Continuing as art director for 2000 AD until 2001 he consistently updated the look of the title commissioning Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes
Rian Hughes is a British graphic designer, illustrator and comics artist, noted for his work on 2000AD, where he illustrated Robo-Hunter, Tales from Beyond Science, Really and Truly and Dan Dare, among others...
to design several exclusive fonts, which alongside Cook’s graphic style gave it a unique identity on the newsstands.
Cook also appeared in the 2010 documentary Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods
Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods
Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods is a feature-length documentary that takes an in depth look at the life, career and mind of the Scottish comic book writer Grant Morrison...
.
2000 AD publications
- 2000 AD Cover artist: #600, 637, 647, 649, 662, 667, 722, 772, 843, 1137, 1158, 1571, 1615
- 3000AD Cover artist: 2000 AD Anniversary Supplement (Mar 1997)
- 2000AD Monthly Cover artist: #63
- Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
vol.1 #12, Megapolitan variant back cover art featuring Sophie AldredSophie AldredSophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
(Sep 1991)
Vertigo
- Vertigo X: Anniversary Preview Cover Artist: (Apr 2003)
Logo design for:
- The UnexpectedThe UnexpectedThe Unexpected was a DC Comics horror comic book, a continuation of Tales of the Unexpected. It ran 117 issues, #105-222, from 1968 to 1982.-Publication history:...
(2011) - Strange AdventuresStrange AdventuresStrange Adventures was the title of several American comic books published by DC Comics, most notably a long-running science fiction anthology that began in 1950.-Original series:...
(2011) - House of MysteryHouse of Mystery (Vertigo)House of Mystery is an occult and horror-themed comic book anthology series based on the classic House of Mystery series that ran from 1951 to 1983...
(2008) - American VirginAmerican Virgin (comics)American Virgin was an American comic book series published by Vertigo Comics and written by Steven T. Seagle and illustrated by Becky Cloonan. The series launched on a monthly schedule in March 2006 and was canceled two years later...
(May 2006 – Mar 2008) - The Dead Boy Detectives (2005)
- Death: At Death's Door (2003)
- Zatanna: Everyday Magic (2003)
- Blood & WaterBlood & WaterBlood & Water was a 2003 five-issue horror comic book limited series written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Tomm Coker, with covers by Brian Bolland...
(May - Sep 2003) - The LosersThe Losers (Vertigo)The Losers is a comic book series published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics, written by Andy Diggle and illustrated, for the most part, by Jock...
(Aug 2003 - Mar 2006) - DeadendersDeadendersDeadenders is an science fiction comic book series written by Ed Brubaker and published by DC Comics. It is set in a post-apocalyptic future in New Bedlam, USA and features a heavy Mod content among the characters. The cover work is by Philip Bond...
( Mar 2000 - Jun 2001)
DC Comics
- SoloSolo (comics)Solo is an American comic book series that was published bimonthly by DC Comics, beginning in October 2004. Each issue has 48 pages plus covers, with no ads.Solo was canceled in 2006; in total, twelve issues appeared.-Overview:...
#12: "Jelly Night & Jelly Day" (fotofuzz remix, DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, with Brendan McCarthyBrendan McCarthyBrendan McCarthy is a British artist and designer best known for his work in comic books, film and television.- Biography :Brendan McCarthy, of Irish descent, was born in London. Brendan soon began painting and drawing his own home-made comics....
, October 2006)
Logo design for:
- Green Arrow (2011)
- Knight and Squire (2010)
- DC Universe: LegaciesDC Universe: LegaciesDC Universe: Legacies are a 2010-2011 ten-issue comic book limited series written by Len Wein and published by DC Comics. It details the person an admirer of Golden Age of Comic Books-era, Silver Age of Comic Books-era, Bronze Age of Comic Books-era, and Modern Age of Comic Books-era superheroes in...
(2010) - Red TornadoRed TornadoRed Tornado is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Justice League of America #64 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin.-Publication history:...
(2010) - Superman: Red SonSuperman: Red SonSuperman: Red Son is a three-issue prestige format comic book mini-series published by DC Comics that was released under their Elseworlds imprint in April 2003...
(2003) - Batman/Judge Dredd: Die Laughing (1998)
Marvel Comics
- Spider-Man: Fever (digital FX, colors and letters, with Brendan McCarthy, 3-issue mini-series, Marvel Comics, 2010)
Music
Album covers:- Asian Dub FoundationAsian Dub FoundationAsian Dub Foundation are a British electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence...
, A History of Now (2011) - Last Man Standing, False Starts & Broken Promises (2008)
- Asian Dub Foundation, Time Freeze: The Best of Asian Dub Foundation (2007)
- Asian Dub Foundation, TankTank (album)Tank is the sixth studio album by British alternative electronica band Asian Dub Foundation.-Track listing:# Flyover # Tank # Hope # Round Up # Oil # Powerlines # Who Runs the Place...
(2005) - Torture Garden Records, Extreme Clubbing 4 (2001)
- Torture Garden Records, Extreme Clubbing 3 (2000)
- William OrbitWilliam OrbitWilliam Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
, Strange Cargo IIIStrange Cargo IIIStrange Cargo III is the fourth album by electronic instrumentalist William Orbit. It is the third in a series of similarly titled albums: Strange Cargo , Strange Cargo II, and Strange Cargo Hinterland....
, (design by Orbit & Cook as Paranoia Art Inc), (1993) - Guerilla RecordsGuerilla RecordsGuerilla Records was a British record label that was founded in 1990 by William Orbit and Dick O'Dell. It featured progressive house from artists such as Bass-O-Matic, React2Rhythm, Spooky, Moody Boyz, Felix Da Housecat, and Billie Ray Martin...
, Generic Sleeve (1990)
Books
Photographic work includes- Cult-Ure - Rian HughesRian HughesRian Hughes is a British graphic designer, illustrator and comics artist, noted for his work on 2000AD, where he illustrated Robo-Hunter, Tales from Beyond Science, Really and Truly and Dan Dare, among others...
(2010) Fiell Publishing Limited ISBN 978-1906863289 - The Boot - Bradley Quinn (2010) Laurence King Publishing ISBN 978 1 85669 663 0
- Script Doctor, The Inside Story of Doctor Who, front cover (2005) Reynolds & Hearn ISBN 1-903111-89-7
- Fetish - Masterpieces of Erotic Fantasy Photography - Carlton Books ISBN 1-85868-674-1
- Device - Art, Commercial - Die Gestalten Verlag ISBN 3-931126-86-2
Magazines
Photographic work includes- Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
: Sylvester McCoySylvester McCoySylvester McCoy is a Scottish actor. As a comic act and busker he appeared regularly on stage and on BBC Children's television in the 1970s and 80s, but is best known for playing the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1987 to...
Interview. Cover portrait and feature photography: Issue 425 (Sept 2010) Panini Magazines - SFX magazineSFX magazineSFX is a British magazine covering the topics of science fiction and fantasy.-Description:SFX magazine is published every four weeks by Future Publishing and was founded in 1995. The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular science fiction, fantasy and horror, within the media of films,...
: 186, (Sept 2009) Fifth Dimensional Man. Portrait of Grant MorrisonGrant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
ISBN 9-771358-595074-09 - SFX magazineSFX magazineSFX is a British magazine covering the topics of science fiction and fantasy.-Description:SFX magazine is published every four weeks by Future Publishing and was founded in 1995. The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular science fiction, fantasy and horror, within the media of films,...
- Doctor Who special: 5, Sophie AldredSophie AldredSophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
feature (2006) ISBN 9-771470-601028-05 - Skin Two magazine: 26, "The Story of Zero" Cover Photo & fashion feature (1998) ISBN 1-899279-55-5
- Manga Mania magazine: 39, Cover Photo (Oct 1996) ISBN 977-0968-957012-10
- Manga Mania magazine: 38, Cover Photo & fashion feature (Sept 1996) ISBN 977-0968-957012-09
- Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
: Cover Photos: Issues 115, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 124, 131, 136, 138, 152, 153, 154, 155, 162, 166, Marvel UK - SindySindySindy is a British fashion doll created by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in 1963. A rival to Barbie, Sindy's wholesome look and range of fashions and accessories made it the best selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970...
: Cover Photos: Issues (Apr 1986) 2 to 44 (Feb 1987) Marvel UK - SindySindySindy is a British fashion doll created by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in 1963. A rival to Barbie, Sindy's wholesome look and range of fashions and accessories made it the best selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970...
Magazine: Cover Photos: Issues (Aug 1987) 1 to 8 (Mar 1988) Marvel UK - Le Journal de Barbie: 31, Cover Photo (Jan 1998) Egmont France ISSN 1274-0284
- Le Journal de Barbie: 39, Cover Photo (Sep 1998) Egmont France ISSN 1274-0284
- Barbie Magazine: Issues 13 to 60, Cover Photos (May 1998) Egmont Fleetway
- The Best of Barbie Magazine: Cover Photo (Winter 1998) Egmont Fleetway ISBN 9-771462-733003
- Barbie World Special: Cover Photo (July 1999) Egmont Fleetway ISBN 9-771462-733003-01
- Barbie Fashion Special: Cover Photo (Nov 1999) Egmont Fleetway ISBN 9-771462-733003-04
- Barbie Magazine: Issues 62 to 73, Cover Photos (July 2002) Egmont Fleetway
Exhibitions
- Secret Origins: (Solo show) Orbital Comics Gallery, London. Sept 17 - Oct 17, 2009
- SPIN - The Art of Record Design: The Arts Gallery, University of the Arts London. 3 Sept - 3 Oct 2008
- The London Look: Museum of LondonMuseum of LondonThe Museum of London documents the history of London from the Prehistoric to the present day. The museum is located close to the Barbican Centre, as part of the striking Barbican complex of buildings created in the 1960s and 70s as an innovative approach to re-development within a bomb damaged...
. Oct 29 - May 8, 2005 - Personal Space: Gigantic Art Space G.A.S., Franklin St, New York, NYC. June 16 - July 31, 2004
- Loops & Shadows: J. Walter Thompson CompanyJWTJWT is one of the largest advertising agencies in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. It is one of the key companies of Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP Group and is headquartered in New York. The global agency is led by Worldwide Chairman and Global CEO Bob Jeffrey who took over the...
, Knightsbridge, London. Nov 2003 - Jan 2004 - Cocktail: DELUXE Gallery, Hoxton Square, London. July 16 - Aug 1, 2003
- Digital DUMBO: Second Annual Digital Arts Festival. D.U.M.B.O. Brooklyn, New York. Sept 20 - 22, 2002
- fmagazine: Online exhibition in partnership with BT Broadband. 2002
- Alternity: (Solo show) The Colville Place Gallery, London. May 10–17, 2002
- Celebration: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London. 1999
- Erotic Oscars: The Leydig Trust, London. 1999
- Transitions: The Photographers' Gallery, London. 1993
Quotes
"Old pictures, early photographs, have become fetish objects. They often speak to a time where repression shared a room with wild decadence, but with hard demarcations. Restrictive, decorative clothing evokes bondage -- once known as The English Vice -- without ever speaking its name.Steven Cook's Alternity fetishises the fetish. Careful digital manipulation places these proper ladies and gentlemen in a parallel world; a hyperreal interzone of rubber, piercings and tattoos." Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
2002 *
"Steven Cook is an artist who works with digital media and photography. His latest series of work Alternity, manifests possible pasts in mendacious but startlingly believable photographic images. These alternate narratives are strangely familiar, yet have a sense of disquiet as histories collide and memories blur." Roy Voss 2002 *
"Any computer aid can be misused and Photoshop's facilities for manipulation of images have led to some less-than-stunning results, Cook's work is a lesson in how it should be done" Tony Mitchell 1999
Fetish - Masterpieces of Erotic Fantasy Photography
Further reading
- SNITT magazin for visuell kommunikasjon (Norway) 6. Fashion issue - Cook's work profiled by Hilde MarstranderHilde MarstranderHilde Marstrander is a Norwegian fashion journalist and illustrator. She is the editor-in-chief of the Norwegian design magazine SNITT....
. Jan 2009 - SFX magazineSFX magazineSFX is a British magazine covering the topics of science fiction and fantasy.-Description:SFX magazine is published every four weeks by Future Publishing and was founded in 1995. The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular science fiction, fantasy and horror, within the media of films,...
5. Doctor Who special. The Wicked Companion - Sophie AldredSophie AldredSophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
and Steven Cook interviewed. pgs.58-59 May 2006 - Key magazine 1. Alternative Reality - Steven Cook interviewed by Charles Walford. pgs.20-21 Jan 2004
- Docklands magazine Arts. History in the Making - Time waits for one man pg.76 Oct 2003
- Skin Two magazine 32. Fresh Cooking - Lisa Sherman previews Cook's Alternity project. pg.19 Aug 2000
- Designers' Workshop (Japan) 12. 2000AD Design work pgs.91-93 Dec 1992
- Camera Weekly Vol 6. No.25. Cook interviewed about his lighting techniques. pgs.38-39 Oct 1985
External links
- Steven Cook at Vimeo
- Alternity.co.uk
- Yves Peters on Cook's comic book and album sleeve designs
- A selection of portraits from Cook's 2009 'Secret Origins' exhibition on the UAL website
- Steve Cook on the 2000AD covers blog
- Steven Cook's Exhibition of Alternity images at Gigantic Artspace
- Steven Cook's work on Obsessionart.com
- Steve Cook at Comic Vine
- Steve Cook by Antonio Solinas