Western Morning News (Saturday)
Beryl Cook’s delightful gift
AS a young hairdresser in the 1990s Sarah Donaldson didn’t expect to form a friendship with one of Britain’s most popular and recognisable artists of the time.
Most Friday’s Beryl Cook would visit the Derry’s Hairdressers in the Plymouth city centre where Sarah would cut her hair and chat about anything from cruise ship holidays to health matters. Sarah lived on the Barbican and had a connection with the artist who would often depict Barbican characters in her popular paintings.
Sarah was wed to Gary in 1995 and her hen night was a big night out on the Plymouth Barbican. She recalls seeing Beryl Cook in the Dolphin Pub at the early part of the evening. Just a week later the artist, whilst at the hairdressers, presented Sarah with a small painting simply titled ‘A Bride to be’, a wedding gift from the artist and her husband John, which Sarah has cherished ever since.
Some months later two fine paintings were released by the artist titled ‘Hen Party I and II’. It is highly likely that the painting given to Sarah was the inspiration for these works.
In particular the Hen Party II is an near match to the small painting although the hat is a slightly different shape. The principal work can be found in the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.
Beryl Cook was born in 1926, her art work highly collected and instantly recognisable. Often comical, her paintings picture people whom she encountered in everyday life, including people enjoying themselves in pubs, girls shopping , many paintings had a Plymouth connection. Beryl died in Plymouth in 2008.
Sarah has now decided to sell the work so she can perhaps treat her family to a cruise ship holiday similar to one that she heard so much about while talking to Beryl.
Auctioneer Paul Keen said: “We are delighted to handle the sale of this fabulous small painting with perfect provenance.”
The painting carries an estimate at £6000 to £7000 and will go to auction at Plymouth Auction Rooms on November 24. For further details call 01752 254740.