Glenn R Cooke: Matchstick Craft

Born in Blackall in western Queensland, Cooke’s early life in rural communities shaped his lifelong interest in regional identity. His collections—ranging from kitsch Story Bridge souvenirs to over 1,500 Queensland-themed tea towels—offer a vibrant, often humorous, lens into the state’s social history. These items, once commonplace, now serve as cultural artefacts that reflect the pride, quirks, and aspirations of the communities that produced them. Cooke was interested in craft born from an ethos of humble thrift.

Matchstick craft was a popular activity in the mid-20th century, when smoking was a popular habit and spent matches were readily available. The matches provided a regularly shaped and lightweight material, which could be easily fixed together with wood glue. The items most commonly created were decorated trays and trinket boxes, however elaborate items such as table lamps, artworks and architectural models were also created.

A passionate advocate for artist-run spaces and under-recognised creatives, Cooke’s curatorial work championed the diversity of Queensland’s artistic voices, especially in regional Queensland. His landmark publication A Time Remembered: Art in Brisbane 1950–1975 remains a foundational text for understanding the region’s postwar art scene.

Glenn was a generous donor to the Ipswich Art Gallery and through this small display, the team pay homage to his generosity, idiosyncratic collecting and endless curiosity and humour.