Q&A: Ali Cook, New Contemporaries 2025/2026 artist on the power of artistic community in the North East and the inspirations behind his emerging painter's practice
Artist Ali Cook explores the power of artistic community in the North East, the inspirations behind his emerging painter's practice, and why creativity is something best nurtured together.
WHAT'S THE ART SCENE LIKE NEAR YOU?
The art scene in North East England has as its foundations in a kindness that uplifts artists. After graduating I had tremendous support from The Auxiliary in Middlesbrough which ended up leading to a permanent studio space in the Orbis Community Centre in Gateshead. These grass roots organisations I view as the heart and soul of creativity in the North East and perpetuate an attitude of unity and inclusivity that I believe makes the art scene beautiful to be a part of. From the very start it has felt like family for me.
Galleries locally near me I’d recommend would be the Vane Gallery, The Laing Gallery, The Hatton, The Baltic, Details art store’s exhibition space and Newcastle Centre for arts!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I had the thrill of indulging in Geoff Darrow and Jean Giraud’s comics over the course of a residency about a year ago and have been in a perpetual state of awe ever since, specifically the comic Hard Boiled and their collaboration The City of Fire.
Equally cinematically Beau is Afraid by Ari Aster and The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky reached the feelings I’d love to reach in my pieces before I knew what they even were myself.
The only book I’ve read in years was Ingram by Louis C.K. It is the only book I believe you need to read in years.
There is an infinite list of painters, but outside of my favourite being Heironymous Bosch, I find I am unable to pull myself from the orbits of Philip Guston, Francis Bacon, Egon Schielle and Breughel.
Currently, I have just finished a painting titled a man among animals, a more satirical take on the absurdity of modernity than the slightly more melancholy piece I Believe in Something Better that’s part of the New Contemporaries exhibition.
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU CURRENTLY FACING?
Finding a job within the creative sector and making time for making alongside working. Although two totally unremarkable problems these are the main ones I’m facing.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO EARLY CAREER ARTISTS STARTING OUT?
I believe art to be a team sport, and as an artist just starting out myself I believe nothing has benefited me more than being part of a community centre. It has offered me a space for conversation, collaboration and imagination that I thought was un-repeatable outside of the academic system. My advice to anyone would be to pursue these avenues of creativity as a means to keep your voice in conversation with others and grow together.
Other than that, my Dad tells me every single moment you spend in contact with your craft is progress. There can be no mistakes so long as you engage with it, and if you do make any, you can just paint over it.