Cook soon found himself well immersed in jewelry making full time. His own unique pieces deeply carved and with cutout forms that continued to maintain the traditional motifs of his heritage. In the years of working with Livingston, Cook worked and met with many other artists that influenced his work of today, such as Robert Davidson, Calvin Hunt, Susan Point and Art Thompson and many more. In 2010, Cook travelled to Italy to study Chasing and Repousse techniques in metal with Master Valentin Yotkov. From there, Cook went to New York for further studies.
Rande Cook often finds himself lost in the study of ancient Kwa’kwa’ka’wakw pieces found in Museums around the world. This is where he seeks to push the boundaries by understanding the ancient fundamentals of form. This has given Cook his unique style of today while balancing the strict laws of design.
As part of his career journey, Rande Cook has had many opportunities in taking on Residencies where he explores and implements his own personal style and signature. Recently, in 2017, Cook was the Artist in Resident for Pilchuck’s Glass School in Washington. Where he was educated on the art of glass making and working with a team of professional glass blowers. Cook gained knowledge in pushing the boundaries of his artforms translating them into glass form. Shortly after, Cook was the Artist in Resident for the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. He was presented a professional team of glass artists and continued to take full advantage in practicing and pushing his traditional and contemporary artforms. Leaving with many valuable glass pieces, which some have been incorporated in his pieces today.
Rande Cook resides with his family in Victoria, where he is inspired by new ideas every day. He continues to strive for diversity and originality, and his imaginative pieces push the envelope of contemporary and traditional Northwest Coast art already being pursued by museums and art collectors from around the globe. Cook has accumulated a unique combination of 25 years of heritage, knowledge and experience. Making the gentle rebel continually pushing boundaries to create beautiful and provocative works challenging audiences to reconsider the role of traditional techniques for contemporary artmaking.
Today, Cook continues to be involved in his community, culture, preserving Vancouver Island old growth rainforest, and as a public figure. He continues to hold his chieftainship and has hosted potlatch ceremonies for his family, celebrating culture and carrying on strong teachings while dedicating time in preserving his cultural roots. With knowing where his roots come from, Cook balances advancing his career so he may continue to share with the world his love for the arts and his love for his heritage.
Rande Cook has currently completed the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Victoria, completing his MFA as a graduate of 2021.
