Octavia Cook (born 1978) is a

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the ...

jeweller.

Education

Cook graduated in 1999 with a

Bachelor of Design A Bachelor of Design (B.Des. or B.Design) degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree in the field of design awarded for a course or major that generally lasts three or four years. It is the undergraduate equivalent of the Master 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. For example, her 'Loved and Lost' brooches from 2006 take the form of updated mourning jewellery, but bear the faces of Cook family pet that have died, and have individual titles such as ''Lucky Cook', 1982-1991'' and ''Sooty Cook, 1986-1987''. Another work, ''OC v QEII'' (2006) is a reversible red and white brooch hung from a large bow, with Cook's and

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...

's profiles on either side. Also unconventional is the increased size of the brooches, and the use of brightly coloured acrylic. In 2002 Cook also 'launched' her imaginary company Cook & Co, under which she produced her work for several years. Cook & Co draws a fictional link between Cook and

Captain James Cook James Cook (7 November 1728Old Style date: 27 October – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and t ...

, and important figure in New Zealand history, and also plays on the name of famous jewellery brand Tiffany & Co. She produces themed branding and packaging that riffs on the branding and marketing strategies of international jewellery companies. Art critic Virginia Were writes 'Cook's autobiographical references and her lighthearted take on the weighty history of jewellery give her work a contemporary edge that propels it way beyond the confines of craft and art'. Cook has exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her solo exhibition ''Dynasty: Works by Octavia Cook'' was held at

The Dowse Art Museum The Dowse Art Museum is a municipal art gallery in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Opening in 1971 in the Lower Hutt CBD, The Dowse occupies a stand-alone building adjacent to other municipal facilities. The building was completely remodelled in 201 ...

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 The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington. ''Te Papa Tongarewa'' translates literally to "container of treasures" or in full "container of treasured things and people that spring fr ...

Auckland War Memorial Museum The Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira (or simply the Auckland Museum) is one of New Zealand's most important museums and war memorials. Its collections concentrate on New Zealand history (and especially the history of the Auck ...

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a contemporary art museum at New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. The gallery receives core funding from the New Plymouth District Council. Govett-Brewster is recognised internationally for contemporary art. ...

and

. Cook is a Special Advisor for the Objectspace Charitable Trust.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cook, Octavia 1978 births New Zealand jewellers Living people People from Auckland Unitec Institute of Technology alumni Women jewellers