Gallery issues plea to collectors to loan original Beryl Cook works for exhibition

The show at Studio Voltaire, London, will explore the playful and political work of Cook and Finnish artist Tom of Finland

A leading gallery has issued a public plea to art collectors for help in recovering original works by Beryl Cook – one of Britain’s best-loved painters – so they can be included in a new exhibition.

The show will bring together the world of Cook and Finnish artist Tom of Finland – real name Touko Valio Laaksonen – for the first time, exploring the playful and political side of their work.

But since the whereabouts of many of Cook’s paintings are still unknown after they entered personal collections, Studio Voltaire is keen to hear from any owners of original artworks that they could loan.