Octavia Cook

Octavia Cook (born 1978) is a New Zealand jeweller.

Education Cook graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Design in jewellery from Unitec Auckland where among other tutors she studied with Pauline Bern.

Work Cook's work examines the concept of identity and the inherent values attributed to jewellery. She says 'My work references familiar historical jewellery motifs, like the bow, skull, and cameo silhouette, which balance the personal nature of my subject matter'.

In 2002 Cook began working with the cameo form for which she has become known. She has several series of rings, brooches, earrings and necklaces that play with the ideas of cameos, mourning jewellery, and identity. Her solo exhibition Dynasty: Works by Octavia Cook was held at The Dowse Art Museum in 2012. In 2023, Objectspace held the exhibition Cook & Company which featured new work by Cook alongside older pieces borrowed from private lenders and public institutions.

Collections Cook's work is held in numerous collections such as the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and The Dowse Art Museum. Cook is a Special Advisor for the Objectspace Charitable Trust.