Transforming Keystrokes into Intricate Works of Art

James Cook is a London-based artist renowned for creating intricate drawings entirely with typewriters, a medium he has explored since 2014. What began as a school project has grown into a decade-long practice, producing over 350 artworks using more than 100 vintage typewriters.

Each piece is meticulously crafted keystroke by keystroke, forming images from thousands of letters, numbers, and symbols. Many works contain hidden messages and details, inviting viewers to explore the artwork closely. Depending on complexity, a single piece can take from a week to three months to complete.

Traveling the World, One Keystroke at a Time

James Cook’s typewriter art has taken him on extraordinary journeys around the world. From the bustling streets of New York to the neon-lit landscapes of Las Vegas, and from the scenic beauty of Taiwan to the charming cities of the Netherlands, he travels with a typewriter in his backpack, ready to create wherever inspiration strikes.

His unusual practice often puzzles airport security; the x-ray scanner inevitably reveals a machine bristling with metal cogs and levers, leaving staff bewildered. Explaining that he is a typewriter artist only seems to deepen the intrigue.

Expanding the Limits of the Typewriter

In just over a decade, James Cook has created more than 350 typewriter artworks using a collection of over 100 typewriters…and counting. Many of his typewriters are generously donated by admirers of his work.

The scale of his work ranges from postcard-sized pieces to vast compositions spanning rolls of paper.

For larger artworks, he constructs sections individually before hot-pressing them together, enabling creations far beyond the limits of a typewriter’s traditional paper feed.

Famous Faces

James’ work has attracted the attention of A-list celebrities, public figures, and the media. He was invited by world-renowned violinist André Rieu to Maastricht to create artwork during one of his iconic open-air concert

In October 2023, James joined forces with musician and artist Robbie Williams to create two extraordinary collaborative works. The pair produced Routemaster and Elon’s Musk.

In another notable commission, James was asked to create a portrait of the late H.M. Queen Elizabeth II for a former royal household member, in exchange for a typewriter once used by the Royal Clerk at Buckingham Palace.

Experiments in Colour

Evening in Times Square marks James’s first-ever night-time scene and it stands out as one of his most ambitious and technically experimental works.

What makes the piece particularly special is his use of colour; for the first time, James drew upon his entire collection of vintage colour typewriter ribbons, some of which he had carefully preserved in their original packaging since the 1970’s.

The vibrant glow of Times Square’s advertising screens provided the perfect subject for this long-awaited experiment, resulting in a striking mix of neon brightness and nostalgic atmosphere.

Hidden Details

James embedded layers of hidden details within the composition. Many of the illuminated billboards conceal the names of his favourite typewriter brands, including Oliver and Hermes, waiting to be discovered by the eagle-eyed viewer.

The artist also inserted a playful self-portrait, placing himself in the bustling crowd with a portable typewriter in hand and dressed in his trademark red jumper. For those who enjoy puzzles, James went further, typing two sets of GPS coordinates into the artwork. These point to the locations of upcoming projects that he intends to reveal in the future, offering an interactive challenge to those willing to track them down.

In the Media

Over the past decade, James Cook has been featured widely across print and television, with appearances on major platforms such as BBC News, ITV News, Good Morning Britain, Sky News, and even an interview with singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson.

His first media appearance came in January 2020 on BBC Look East, a regional news programme covering East Anglia. That initial broadcast caught the attention of national and international media outlets and quickly became the catalyst that propelled James from a part-time hobbyist into a full-time artist.

James continues to talk about his work on TV and radio today. His was recently interviewed about his typewriter project with Oxford University.

The Kelly Clarkson Show

James appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2020 to showcase his unique portrait of Tom Hanks, which he created using only a vintage typewriter. 

During the show, Clarkson’s production team noted a shared interest between Cook and Hanks in collecting typewriters. In addition, Hanks had appeared on a previous episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. This ultimately led to James sending a typed portrait to Tom Hanks.

The artwork was returned to James months later sending a signed message; much to the artists astonishment. Tom Hanks is known for collecting typewriters and has previously donated his machines to many fans of his.

What Inspired James to Type?

James first began creating typewriter art when he was still at school. He investigated creative tools beyond traditional drawing and painting. During this research, he discovered artist Paul Smith (1921-2007) Despite having cerebral palsy, Paul used typewriters to produce incredibly detailed portraits and landscapes.

Paul Smith’s story resonated deeply with James. Despite his condition, Paul had a deep passion for art. Unable to hold conventional tools like pens or paintbrushes, he instead turned to the mechanical precision of the typewriter. His parents had given him one at an early age to help him learn to read and write, but what Paul went on to create with it was extraordinary.

The First Typed Artwork: The Woolworth Building

James Cook’s very first typewriter art project was the Woolworth Building in New York City, created in March 2014. With aspirations of becoming an architect and a lifelong passion for drawing buildings since the age of five, it remains one of his favourite landmarks in New York.

His first typewriter was a lime-green 1950s Oliver Courier, a small portable machine he purchased for £15 from an elderly couple who had overheard him asking around town in antiques shops and charity stores looking for his first typewriter. James used that machine to create his first fifty drawings until it finally gave out.

Highlight Project – Battersea Power Station

In June 2024, James Cook was invited to the Lift 109 experience at Battersea Power Station, where he took a 1931 Underwood Standard typewriter 109 metres above London. From inside the glass lift, with panoramic views stretching across the city, James set about creating a typewritten artwork of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The artwork took a month to type. He completed the piece on location, spending hours typing at the very top of the chimney. Staff later remarked that his sitting was the longest anyone had ever spent at the top of the chimney, making this project as much an endurance feat as an artistic one.

Highlight Project – The Ritz

To celebrate the birthday of The Ritz, which first opened its doors in 1906, James was invited to create a typewriter artwork from the grandeur of its famous Palm Court.

From his vantage point within the heart of the hotel, James produced a detailed drawing of the Ritz’s exterior architecture, interwoven with hidden messages typed into the piece. These textual fragments reflect both the hotel’s celebrated design and its storied history as one of London’s most luxurious landmarks.

The work serves as both a portrait of the building and a tribute to its cultural significance, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the timeless character of the Ritz.

Highlight Project – The Royal Albert Hall

In 2023, James collaborated with the Royal Albert Hall; one of the world’s greatest music venues to create a remarkable typewritten artwork on its stage. Working with his portable Olympia typewriter, James drew inspiration from Sir Peter Blake’s famous collage at the Hall’s entrance.

But instead of images of the countless musicians who have performed there, James typed their names into the composition, encouraging viewers to uncover them hidden within the work. The process was documented in a video that has since become one of James’s most popular, amassing over 20 million views and more than one million likes, cementing the piece as one of his most celebrated collaborations.

Press and Media

In February 2023, James’s typewriter art was featured in The Guardian’s gallery titled Full of Characters, showcasing his tributes to renowned artworks.

Recent works at the time included typewritten recreations of masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Van Gogh’s 1887 self-portrait, and Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait, aiming to remind audiences that some technologies, like the typewriter, continue to inspire creativity.

Frida Kahlo’s is a striking monochrome portrait that captures the iconic Mexican artist’s essence using only typewriter marks. This piece is part of Cook’s broader series where he recreates famous artworks.