Jonathan Delafield Cook

About

Jonathan Delafield Cook's intricate works in charcoal explore the intersection of art, science, and nature and reflect his vast curiosity, drawing from the rich tradition of natural history documentation. His barnacle series, shaped by Charles Darwin’s fascination with these creatures, mirrors the scientist’s own meticulous study of the species. Darwin’s research on barnacles played a pivotal role in the development of his theories on evolution, and Delafield Cook’s drawings magnify their form, transforming them from simple organisms into extraordinary, almost otherworldly marvels. In doing so, the artist invites us to look at these often-overlooked creatures in a new, more profound way. Barnacles have some of the most complex reproductive systems in the animal kingdom, a detail that highlights their evolutionary significance.

Delafield Cook’s large-scale works of icebergs serve as a testament to a vulnerable landscape and the uncertain future of our planet. As he writes, “they represent my tribute to an ‘endangered’ phenomenon that to me symbolises our species’ very uncertain future. A phenomenon that may eventually exist only in memory.” These beautiful, rather ethereal depictions serve as both a reminder and a warning.

A sense of movement is created with precise anatomical study in his works of rays and fish fins. He captures, with his almost photographic precision, the intricate patterns of these creatures. When viewed closely, these patterns seemingly dissolve into abstraction and remind us of repeating forms that appear throughout nature. This repetition reiterates the interconnectedness of all living things.