ABOUT GEMMA COOK

 

I am a dynamic artist, my approach is immersive and performative, combining spontaneity and reflection, captured in layers of rhythms and refrains. There is an element of biographical journeying permeating through my work; a constant search to understand meaning in experience. 

 

Elements of my iterative process include, repetition, refrain, pealing back layers, and laying down layers. These are  explored through intuition, play, and being present to the unknown, the surprising, and shifting meaning.  

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I started my art practice through life drawing nearly twenty years ago. This has been informed by twenty years practice as a physiotherapist, which has given me a deep and embodied understanding of the human form, and drives a performative process to my drawing.  I have worked as a physiotherapist in varied low and high income contexts, including Afghanistan with the International Committee of the Red Cross. 

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My professional vocation now involves advocating for international disability inclusive human rights. Both my professional advocacy work and my artwork are driven by a curiosity to understand how networks of power structures and practices of freedom impact on the individual. 

 

My current position as an ESRC scholarship doctoral student, is allowing me to combine and apply my varied skills. I am working in collaboration with three adults with Cerebral Palsy to use art as scientific method to understand policy experiences of adults with Cerebral Palsy.  Together we are creating exciting and knowledge building results, including a spoken word performance piece and an animated poetry film, which you can find here on this site.

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I practice from an art studio in Brighton

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Academic Achievements

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• Doctoral Researcher - Grand Union Doctoral Training Pathway - ESRC Funded Scholarship - Hosted by Brunel University London

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• MSc - Global Health Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

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• BSc - Physiotherapy - King's College London

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• BA - Combine Arts - University of Liverpool

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