Rande Cook

Rande Cook

Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw) is a multimedia artist born in culture-rich Alert Bay. Surrounded by the beauty of the land and art, he found the passion of artistic creativity at an early age. Cook has studied under several master craftsmen to learn traditional jewellery and carving techniques including master carver John Livingston. In 2015 and 2016, Rande Cook held the Audain Professorship of Contemporary Art Practice of the Pacific Northwest with the Visual Arts department at the University of Victoria.  While growing up, Cook observed and discussed the traditional art forms of his Kwakwaka’wakw forefathers with his grand- father, Gus Matilpi. With the strong teachings from his grandparents about culture and the sacred ceremonies of the Pot- latch world, Cook became an accomplished singer and dancer, and learned the values of life and culture that prepared him to be a strong leader for his people. He carries two chieftainships: the Hamatam/Seagull; and the Gigalgam from the ancient ancestor Kwanusila/Thunderbird. This story can be seen on the 27-foot totem pole he was commissioned to carve for the Museum Volkenkunde in the Netherlands in 2012.  In 1991, Cook moved from his tiny island life to Victoria to attend high school and college. There he was exposed to a wide range of art-forms and practices from the Western tradition. Traveling the world has also contributed to his broadening his perspectives and bolstered his desire to push the boundaries of traditional works. With his unique accumulation of heritage, knowledge and experience, Cook continually pushes boundaries to create beautiful and provocative works that challenge audiences to reconsider the role of traditional techniques for contemporary art-making.