About

Melissa Cooke is a young, up-and-coming player on the international art scene. Her powdered graphite on paper works explore themes of beauty, fantasy, violence, and identity, with the artist casting herself as subject in a myriad of thematic scenarios. Her work confronts the viewer, both with scale and stirring reflections of relationships, sexuality and gender. Her drawings are attracting attention from major art galleries, museums and collectors in Chicago, LA and NYC. Cooke is represented by Koplin Del Rio in Los Angeles, CA and Jenkins Johnson Gallery in New York, NY.

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ONE WEEK until the opening of “SURFACED”

May 19th-June 16th
Opening reception Saturday May 19th, 5-7pm. Artist’s Remarks at 5pm
Koplin Del Rio Gallery, 6031 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Hope to see you there!

(Photos taken with Instagram.  For more, follow melissacooke on Instagram)

(Source: melissacookeart.com)

“Slathered”, 50” x 38” graphite on paper

(Source: melissacookeart.com)

in the studio

in the studio

“Washed Out”, graphite on paper, 50” x 50”
by Melissa Cooke

(Source: melissacookeart.com)

new works in progress

new works in progress

Temporary studio space in Wisconsin.
I officially can not go for a month without drawing.

Temporary studio space in Wisconsin.

I officially can not go for a month without drawing.

My last day as an Artist-In-Residence at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art.
There  was such a rad base of graphite in the studio, that I left this signature on the floor.

My last day as an Artist-In-Residence at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art.

There was such a rad base of graphite in the studio, that I left this signature on the floor.

In the Studio: “Surfaced” Series
four 49”x38” graphite drawings

In the Studio: “Surfaced” Series

four 49”x38” graphite drawings

the inevitable trails in a bedroom-studio

the inevitable trails in a bedroom-studio

“Surfaced”, six 49” x 38” graphite drawings
Melissa Cooke, in the studio

“Surfaced”, six 49” x 38” graphite drawings

Melissa Cooke, in the studio

double decker drawings in the studio

double decker drawings in the studio

Inside my studio at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art. Many new graphite drawings in the works!

Inside my studio at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art.
Many new graphite drawings in the works!

THE NEW STUDIO
Graphite trails and fresh works abound!

THE NEW STUDIO

Graphite trails and fresh works abound!

MOVED!
For the next three months, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha, Nebraska will be my home.  The studio is my dream quarters: spacious, bright, and full of possibilities.  So excited to start laying down some graphite!

(Source: melissacookeart.com)

in the studio

in the studio