When Fashion Week wraps, each couture HQ has 2-3 days of clogged noses— even the best of us become depressive divas. This season's detox was especially hard, and desperate for a medicinal meme— I returned to Josh Cook. It was wonderful. Wanting to know how he can help us all, I asked him. In drawings and DMs, here it is: be human, be ugly, be branded.
Can you remember your first drawing?
I always used to draw as a kid, so I can’t exactly pin point my first drawing. I remember I drew a picture of Mickey Mouse and my mum got it printed onto a t-shirt for me and I wore it to death as a child. I still have that t-shirt somewhere.
You say your work is mainly focused on subjects in the human condition, how do you use your medium to channel such a complex topic?
People often find my characters quite awkward, as they seem quite distressed. Although to me, there's a sense of humor in awkwardness. I feel like we should laugh more about the things that make us feel uncomfortable. I also explore my own social anxieties in day-to-day situations through the people I draw. Sadly, people still treat mental health issues as though they are a taboo subject, but drawing really helps me communicate and express things I feel, that I often can't put into words or feel comfortable with discussing out in the open.
Sex and fashion are an important aspect in your drawings. What draws you to incorporate this into your work?
I try to explore people's identity in my work hence why I label them as characters. They all have their own personality. I think that generally, sex and fashion are two of the most desired things on earth, yet often the most unattainable. Everyone is in some sort of struggle to find happiness and those two things seem to be the temporary quick fixes to make someone feel better. In terms of incorporating fashion, the characters always wear knock-off fashion to reflect society's often elusive aspirations.
In your illustrations, man is always portrayed frightened and insecure. Is this a reference to a disturbed society?
To a certain extent, yes. The characters reference our need to fit in, but I don't necessarily think this is a new thing. Before the internet, we were still obsessed with class and outward appearances but more on a local level. Now it's just more apparent because you can judge someone's character and influence by looking at their Instagram feed. I find it fascinating how we're sometimes too scared to be ourselves because we fear that other people won't like us, so we're naturally more reserved online and offline.
How would you literally translate the word ‘ugly’?
Interesting, unique, beautiful.
What was the best thing you got out of Bristol?
There's so much diversity here and people are way less judgemental. It has a really strong creative atmosphere and supportive communities. All the different characters within the city are constantly inspiring me.
How did you start making work?
I originally went to school for music, but didn’t really take it too seriously, so then switched majors to photography. I always wanted to add more to the photo, like I could never express what I wanted to through just photographs. For my senior thesis I started making collages and from then on it just never really stopped.
Wow, where did you go to school?
St. John’s for the first half, and then I transferred to Ramapo up in New Jersey.
Shit! You were deep in Jersey!
Yeah, I just commuted from my parents house. They’re in the Morristown area. There’s really nothing to do up there, it’s actually like suburbia. I knew I had to get out of there... I moved to the city around 2012 - 2013, but was back and forth for a little while.
Where do you usually get your clippings?
I’ll usually just go to bookstores and go through the bins on different artists.
Do you create work in series or is everyone of your paintings an individual idea?
I definitely create in series, but each piece will always have its own identity, an individual story behind it.
The work is an extension of me. The series are eras, and each era is defined by the story of a piece.
You have a really effortless way of talking about your work and I think people respond to it well.
I just like things to be genuine and flow natural. I feel like my work flows out in the same exact way.
It seems you've got a pretty good work ethic.
I definitely work on something everyday, but they’re some days when I have to take a step back… I mean I pretty much gave up every other gig, so I have to put in the time. I have no other option at this point.
What are some of you biggest influences?
...To be honest, I’ve been staying pretty low. So most of my time spent is just me and music. I’ve been listening to a lot of West Coast hip-hop lately. Specifically Kendrick Lamar. His albums are so profound, telling the multifaceted story of black boyhood. It’s brilliant really.
I’ve also been listening to a lot of James Baldwin speeches while I work. The guy was too smooth.
Tell me about this film you’re going to be in.
The film is called Vedic Nights. I’m sort of playing myself, in a fictional story, with a lot of parallels to my actual life as an artist. The film has many layers to it, and my story is just one. I’m excited for it! ...I’ve never acted before, so it’ll be an interesting experience to say the least.
The director, Jean Michel, is a brilliant guy... plus, he wrote me to be a lot smoother than I actually am. So that’s cool.
Do you think the internet made it easier or harder for the modern day artist?
It’s interesting... It’s an amazing platform that has no limits the possibilities are endless. You can sculpt it to be the ultimate tool. It’s an amazing teacher if you have the right intentions and treat her right.
Galleries, curators, dealers, buyers— they all found their place on the world wide web. So, why not join them?
But, at the same time, I do feel that the internet has a weakened layer of “genuineness”.
Everything is a numbers game, followers over actual quality. People are more inclined to follow trends, solely on the fact that the minions find happiness in trendy wholeness.
It’s cool though. I hold no hate towards any chosen path. I just personally try not to get wrapped up in that.
You’ll lose yourself before discovering yourself. And that’s what art is to me... To be a successful artist today, we have to adapt to the times.
And, “the times are a changin”. (Bob Dylan Voice)
