Stories

Ian Cook, a local artist now famous in the world of Formula 1 and motor racing events for his unique painting method using only radio-controlled cars, has just completed a special art project to help raise vital funds and awareness for Acorns Children's Hospice.

Acorns Hospice artwork

Ian Cook from Solihull hosted an interactive art workshop in a vacant shop unit at the Bullring during the May half term school holidays to showcase his unusual artistic methods.

Children were able to sign up and have a go at painting using Ian's motor-inspired tools and contribute to the piece of art itself.

Ian took the artwork back to his studio at the Custard Factory to complete the project and it was due to go on displayed at the Bullring this week.

However, before handing over the finished piece, disaster struck. Ian's studio was flooded and the piece was damaged.

Ian admitted to being "a little frustrated", but is determined to repair the work as soon as possible. It is now expected to go on display sometime in July '09.

Artist Ian Cook

Looking back

Ian Cook's career has really taken off over the last couple of years. An artist and teacher, he experimented by painting using remote control cars as his tool – and it really grabbed people's attention.

Ian's experiment began when he used a vacant shop unit for three days in Wolverhampton. He produced colour circle abstracts using remote control cars. Passers by were curious to find out what Ian was doing.

After that the real challenge began – to create images that people would instantly recognise.

"The first recognisable image I produced live and to a timescale was Pudsey Bear for Children in Need," said Ian.

"It's been a fantastic couple of years since then. I've created 'auto drawings' all over the country at different events. I've now done 50 paintings using this process.

"I've done a lot of work at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon. They've supported me a great deal. Events have included a Supercar show in Central London attended by celebrities such as Jay Kay, Chris Evans, Rod Stewart and Jodie Kidd. Also the London International Motorshow and the Goodwood Festival of Speed."

Portrait of a champion

It was through doing these events that Ian was commissioned by Reebok to do a Lewis Hamilton portrait in Central London.

Portrait of Lewis Hamilton

As Lewis went on to become the Formula 1 World Champion, the timing couldn't have been better.
 
"To be the person responsible for creating this piece at such a significant time of Lewis's career was absolutely amazing, truly mind blowing.

"At the time it felt like I was living a dream and I look back at the photos and videos now and still can't believe it! Everything about it was why I do what I do, and what I have been training/studying to do.

"I received global press coverage and it was seen and reported around the world. From Australia, America, China, and all over Europe. It was amazing to work with such a team of people who wanted to do something like that in a relatively short amount of time. From confirmation of the project to completion, it was just 8 weeks."

The portrait of Lewis Hamilton was the size of two double decker buses or a three storey building.

A Christmas creation

With images of this size, Ian uses a lot of paint and batteries (for the remote control cars). So he approached the high street discount store Poundland to see if they would help him with his supplies. This they did, and in return Ian agreed to create a Christmas Tree using only their products. 

Ian working at the Motorshow

"Before I started work on the tree I spent about an hour in the store going through the products I wanted – 10 of some, 6 of another etc. When creating the piece I had all the products arranged by colour in the room, as the tree was defined by colour in its early construction stage."

As part of the creative process, Ian videoed the construction of the tree and then used time lapse footage speeded up by around 50,000 times, so you can see the whole creation which originally took four days, speeded up into less than 5 minutes.

Ian's work is very much a performance, and being ‘watched’ is part of the work.

For the Lewis Hamilton piece over 17, 500 people went through the doors within a week to see it being created. But with his Christmas tree creation, this is the first time Ian has videoed himself creating a sculpture.

Tools of the trade

The Christmas tree was created at the Custard Factory in Digbeth in a vacant unit.

"When creating the artwork I left the door open, so on a number of occasions on the video people come in and see what I am doing. It was also great to get feedback from people whilst working on the piece - talking to someone can change how a piece evolves."

Ian is also keen on using recycled materials in his sculptures. Some of these can be seen at 'The Studio' in Cannon Street, in the Atrium bar area. These made out of recycled, reclaimed and end of line materials.

Just a lot of fun?

"From doing the various events I would say there have been a few envious boys watching from the sidelines, as they see cars whizzing through paint! It is a fun thing to do.

Christmas tree decorations

"I genuinely love the processes that I use to create the different forms of artworks.

"Compared to the Lewis autodrawing, doing the Christmas Tree felt relaxing - there is a lot of humour and fun in the piece. When creating the Lewis Hamilton painting there was a lot of adrenaline from doing long 12 hour painting days and having a set amount to complete per day.

"The timescale for the Christmas Tree was the main thing, as I was also back teaching at Sutton Coldfield College, so had to fit artwork around work. Hence why I had to construct the piece at night sometimes."

The 'serious' side is that my artwork has to be a sellable product, something that I can market to companies as something unique, bespoke and of course it must look great.

Ian with his creation

Inspiring the young

At only 25 years of age Ian has a long future ahead of him. He's loved everything that's happened over the last couple of years and is looking forward to the future.

He's had to cut back at the college he teaches at, but is hoping to be able to juggle the two - continuing to teach on the Fine Art course and Photography Visual studies.

"I hope that by being at the college it can show the students that with determination, ambition and hard work, it is possible to be an artist."

Blue Peter

Ian has also appeared on Blue Peter. Take a look at his creation: