Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy
24 Jan 2026 - 31 May 2026
10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays plus exclusive evening access from 5-8pm on 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 May
Celebrate the life, work and legacy of one of Britain’s most distinctive artists in this landmark exhibition which marks 100 years since her birth. 'Pride and Joy' is the most extensive display of Beryl Cook's work to date with more than 80 works, from iconic paintings to rarely seen treasures from private collections and the Cook family archives. The exhibition fundamentally reassesses Cook's significance as a chronicler of everyday life during a time of great change in Britain.
More info
For your enjoyment, we’re ticketing this free exhibition. Please book in advance as space on the day for walk-ups is not guaranteed and we're expecting the exhibition to be busy until it closes. Your ticket also gives you access to our major 'Journeys with Mai' exhibition. Last admissions on Thursday 7 May will be at 2pm for ticket holders due to a private event. Exclusive evening access tickets are available on 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 May for just £8 per person.
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2026 marks both Cook's centenary and 50 years since the 1976 Sunday Times feature that launched her career following her first exhibition at Plymouth Arts Centre in 1975. She produced an estimated 500 paintings during her lifetime, many of which have become instantly recognisable through their commercial success. But, although her colourful paintings made her beloved by millions, critics consistently dismissed her work as mere kitsch.
Pride and Joy argues for a radical reassessment. Through subjects such as drag queens, working-class women at bingo halls, plus-size bodies celebrating their physicality and LGBTQ+ nightlife, Cook documented communities and identities that were actively marginalised with genuine affection, technical mastery and unflinching honesty. Her work from the 1970s to 2000s captures working-class joy, body positivity, and queer culture with a sophistication that's only now being fully recognised.
The exhibition is organised into four sections:
● Identity and Representation looks at Cook's radical approach to her subjects and her unique style of self-portraiture.
● Chronicles of Everyday Life explores Cook's phenomenal observational skills and attention to detail as she documented working-class spaces and everyday life in a changing Britain.
● Process and Practice highlights Cook’s meticulous research and the way she actively mined different media in ways that feel remarkably contemporary. This section also includes rarely seen sculptures and textile work that demonstrate her versatility beyond painting.
● Influences and Impact shows how her work was inspired by and referenced a broad range of visual culture - from popular postcards to historical painters.
Find out more
● Visit the Dear Beryl display in our Active Archives gallery and delve even further into Cook's personal archive.
● See our six colourful, larger than life Beryl-inspired sculptures around the city.
● Browse and buy from our brilliant range of bespoke merchandise which includes a fully illustrated book - available from our onsite and online shops.
● Visit the official Beryl Cook website.
The Guardian
A saucy parade of bouncy bosoms and smirky smokers.
Wallpaper
Beryl Cook's very human paintings have their moment.
The Telegraph
Beryl Cook's work is getting a much-deserved renaissance.
Images
Header: Beryl Cook, Window Dresser II (detail). Courtesy of www.ourberylcook.com © John Cook 2025