Gordon Crook

Gordon Stephen Crook (11 October 1921 – 26 August 2011) was a visual artist working across the fields of ceramics, textiles, printmaking, painting and drawing.

Early life Born in Richmond, Surrey, England, and he moved with his mother from London to Sussex. He grew up in Sussex, moving between foster homes, and then attended boarding school in Chichester. He joined the merchant navy at 17, and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. In 1948 he enrolled at the Central School of Art, known at the time for its innovative work in textiles. Crook graduated with a degree in textile design and began tutoring at the Central School, before being employed as a lecturer. He continued making art until his death in 2011, aged 89, and was known for his diverse and prodigious output.

In 1979 Crook was commissioned to produce a set of 20 banners for the Miles Warren-designed New Zealand Embassy in Washington.

Crook designed and wove some of his own tapestries; others he collaborated on with other professional weavers. His suite of small tapestries 18 Maritimes for example, in the collection of The Dowse Art Museum were designed by Crook, inspired by 18 small collages made using colour photocopying techniques, and then woven over 1995–1996 by Sue Batten at the Victorian Tapestry Workshop.

While he worked across many formats – including pastel drawings, painting, collages, paper-making and screenprinting – Crook was best-known and most recognized for his textile work. Writing in 1980 critic Neil Rowe observed:

When assessing a talent as multi-faceted as Crook's it is difficult to single out one aspect for consideration above the others. In my opinion, his work with textiles and fabrics constitutes his most significant contribution to contemporary art. ... In New Zealand there is no designer in this field who is as highly qualified or as accomplished as Gordon Crook. In terms of colour and design, his tapestries are by far the most consistently exciting work in the medium made here. Crook received significant support from Jim Barr and James Mack, two early directors of The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, who collected and exhibited his work. 2000 The Wolfman by Gordon Crook, Marsden Art Gallery 2011 Gordon Crook: 18 Maritimes, The Dowse Art Museum The documentary traced Crook's life from his early years in foster care to his time as a London Central School of Art lecturer to his decades in Wellington and featured interviews with Crook, his friends, supporters, students and dealer representatives. The documentary also features autobiographical narrative, including poems written by Crook.

Further information: Trailer for 'Gordon Crook: A Life of Art'

Death Crook died in Wellington on 26 August 2011.

Collections Crook's work is held in collections across New Zealand.

Works in the collection of the Auckland Art Gallery Works in the collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Works in the collection of The Dowse Art Museum Works in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa