Originally from the Medway Towns, Crook gained notoriety as an alternative singer-songwriter with a reputation underpinned by an uncompromising punk ethos. It is his raw spirit that has been the driving force behind numerous artistic projects and creative endeavours, encompassing videography, analogue photography, book arts, mixed-media, and experimental musical projects (SEX CELLS, Holy Robots, Lost Film Foundation). Since 2021, Crook has fully committed to explore his role as a painter. Predominantly working with oil on canvas, his paintings are generated by channelling deeply personal responses to memories, experiences and stimuli. Exploring the psychological and physical reaction to the co-dependent themes of trauma and euphoria, his work is heavily inspired by psycho-sexuality, mental health and the mysticism or occult qualities of everyday life.

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Crook’s paintings are carefully layered, with entire scenes purposefully covered or ‘veiled’, much in the same way that details from dreams evaporate upon waking, or memories fade and degrade over time. However, Crook takes the stance that these overwhelming moments of high emotional impact still remain visceral and influential, even if they appear hidden or unseen on the surface. With this in mind, he has developed a unique visual language of primitive symbols and fetishistic iconography, whereby colour and shape provide a narrative map encouraging the audience to look beyond the purely abstract. Crook’s work is therefore a balance of semi-abstract mark-making and calculated figurative impressions, that serve the process overwhelming moments and enable an exploration of the boundary between fantasy and reality.


Artist Spotlight: Lupen Crook

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