Cloud Cuckoo Land

2018
McKeown, William
William McKeown is best known for his luminous abstract paintings that explore states of mind, such as happiness and freedom, as well as qualities of nature like light, air and sky. His works in oil on linen have highly finished surfaces achieved through meticulously applied thin washes of paint. The titles of his works, such as Turning Buttercups #2 (2008) typically point to memories, emotions or ideals. The artist also created wallpaper, which sees the gallery transformed into an artificial domestic environment. Cloud Cuckoo Land (2004-2018) is a vibrant design featuring cuckoos perched casually on branches with nooses around their necks. The artist’s paintings are displayed against the wallpaper, appearing on the wall like small windows. The canvases draws the eye away from the ill-fated birds, offering a glimpse into the openness and expansiveness of light and colour.
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  • Material description: Digitally printed wallpaper
  • Credit line: © William McKeown Foundation
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  • Accession number: ACC14/2017

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The Arts Council Collection is the UK's most widely seen collection of modern and contemporary art.

With more than 8,000 works by over 2,000 artists, it can be seen in exhibitions and public displays across the country and beyond. This website offers unprecedented access to the Collection, and information about each work can be found on this site.