I enjoyed spending time with you and Peg and thank you for taking the time to visit with my students. They all enjoyed meeting you and we viewed your constructions after you left. The students found them both striking and inspirational. One, a young woman who is just starting to develop a pretty high level of visual literacy in her collages, was especially taken with the work and has been visiting your site a lot. As I mentioned this is a senior class and we talk a lot about the blurry lines separating image making and theory in both the fine and applied arts. Your recent work is particularly appropriate to this discussion. Thanks!
–Bob N.

Rajie Cook’s Ammo box, consisting of a NATO embossed munitions container filled with rocks, is the most provocative, contemporary, and pugilistic work on view. Positioned at the center of the gallery space, it stands out like a cold, ironic indicator of our times. This is the type of conceptual work one might expect to find at the Pompidou in Paris; or perhaps even at the Armory. Within the context of so personal and ingenuous an exhibit, its blunt sensorial impact feels inorganic, quarantined. Yet it succeeds in sculpting, in stone and steel, the iniquities of asymmetric power and the empty promises of western nations supposedly staked in humanitarian concerns.
–Janes Kalm  “The Brooklyn Rails“

Rajie Cook’s “Ammo Box” provides an imposing reminder of the power disparity in Palestine. A huge NATO munitions box is full of rocks—the weapons of Palestinian resistance that serve to highlight the massive military, political and economic aid provided to the Zionist occupation.
–Charlotte Kates “Workers World”

The work itself is quite varied, and not surprisingly, the most overtly political pieces tend to attract the most attention. One example is A Time to Cast Stones, an ammunition box that contains stones, by Rajie Cook. A former graphic designer and the son of Palestinian parents, Cook uses stones, keys, and keffiyehs as visual shorthand for the Palestinian struggle. As you might expect from someone who spent his career in advertising and corporate communications, each of his pieces packs an immediate message, and so he could be called the most activist of the artists on view.
–A Porcupine in New York (Blogger)

Even if you don't politically agree with the sentiments he is expressing the work stands up on its own as intelligent, thoughtful and powerful.
–Rafah Pundits

Among the commanding, museum-quality works on display are political prisoner Zudhi al-Adawi’s Massacre Will Not Bring Our End; Rajie Cook’s Ammo Box: A Time to Cast Stones; Samia Halaby’s Palestine: From the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River; John Halaka’s Stripped of their Identity, Driven from their Land; Emily Jacir’s Refugee Tent Memorial to Palestinian Villages Destroyed, Depopulated and Occupied; and Mary Tuma’s Homes for the Disembodied.
–NYC  Indymedia March 2006

in the past i have used this art form and it remains to me one of the most appealing of tools to use for expression.  if i may, your design background imposes on your artistic intent.  the visual poetry in your work is suppressed with aesthetic solutions of balance, composition, etc.  the images are "too clean" ...the content is anything but...looking at your work has helped me resolve some of my own issues with assemblages.  peace to you, for individual peace is all we can hope for.
–Vicki M.

I was thinking about you and found your website.  Your art is very moving.  I was not surprised that you continue to be an amazing communicator, and have taken your talent to the next level.   I hope you are well.
–Denise P.

Hello, and thank you for sharing you work on the web. I am a box artist and gallery curator in Sacramento, California.  Your work is moving and thought provoking.  I will revisit your site and look for more commentaries on your work.
–Terry F.

It has always been a pleasure to speak with you in person. Each time I have come away with a feeling that something important has just happened.This experience has been magnified for me as I viewed your work....You are even more of a visionary than I had previously thought... Thank you for sharing your creations with me and the world...Peace, Love, Light...
–Jim A.

It's Justin from Newark Academy and I'd just like to thank you again for coming and speaking to us today.  It is really a great show.  I hope to see more of you and your work in the future.  Thanks again.

“Love the site, especially the video. It's a rare treat to actually meet and get to know an artist; his thoughts, his manner and inspirations, but the video gives us a window into your personality which is very touching and direct. Great use of the medium.”
–Mark

“I believe you have done a beautiful job of telling what is really happening in the Middle East.”
–Wade C

“I'm a graphic designer Pratt alumnus. Extremely impressed with artistic abilities.
The world thanks you for applying your gift for peace.”
–Carl

“The website is a fantastic compilation of the great work you have done. Keep up the good work.”
–Robert B

“I have just viewed your Gallery and it is outstanding. This is a great expression of our struggle. My favorite was "No Forwarding Address".
Keep up the great work.”
–Hala A.

“I just found your site. Your work is, as always, amazing. I still look forward to seeing your Christmas cards every year as they are always the most unique.”
–Nadim C

“Some of the most effective pieces on view marry the tactics of contemporary art to realities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

“Powerful images. A women used to send letters to the editor protesting actions by the Jews against the Palestinians. A Jewish woman always responded with letters that showed how the Palestinians were wrong. I stopped printing their letters because there was no end.”
–Bridget W.

“Rajie Cook strikes echoes of Robert Smithson and Art Povera with "A Time to Cast Stones" (2003). A steel ammunition crate brimming with fist-sized stones, it evokes the disparities in weaponry between the parties to the territorial conflict. Its power flickers between the overtly topical and the aesthetic energy of the post-minimalist sculpture it calls to mind.”
–Kenneth Baker Tuesday, April 19, 2005 San Francisco Chronicle

“Creative, Heartfelt and wonderful!”
–Ruth R.

“I could live with your art – great!”
–Peg P.

“Knowing you and your work for peace makes this a very special gallery.”
–Ann A.

“Very moving and powerful work!”
–Barbara M.

“Very Creative… the wonderful mind at work.”
–Donna B.

“I was deeply moved.”
–S. Smith

“Very powerful pieces, I am very Impressed and would love to see more of your work.”
–Kitty M.

“Brings new meaning to everyday objects. Thought provoking.”
–Tom and Bettilyn B.

“Your ability to express your thoughts creatively is tremendous and moving.”
–Corrine R.

“Your creative imagination is infinite.”
–Charlotte And Ted Z.

“I just watched your video again. Wow. Very strong! It puts things in perspective with simplicity and a heart felt sincerity.”
–Thomas F.

“Beautiful, powerful and very moved by it.”
–Janet H.

“Your work was viewed and apreciated by many, It was a pleasure to show such important and visually powerful artworks.”
–Carl R. (gallery owner)

“I just viewed your work.
You have been busy.
In a word... I think your work is: brilliant.
I am impressed with the conviction of your voice.
The intent of your message.
Your ability to express your thoughts so concisely.
And your craftmanship.
You have made my day.
I appreciate how you channel your creativity and your ability to voice what you feel.
Your work inspires.”
–Gloria A.

“We both really like your work, We LOVED your piece with the hammer filled with nails, and the saw sawed into pieces--very clever, and deeply symbolic of the colonialist dysfunctional implosion going on today...”
–Kim J. and Zahi K.

“Palestine-in-a-box is a creative and a most touching expression of the Palestinian tragedy. Perfectly balanced between tangible demonstration of pain and dispossession of an entire people and celebrating their humanity and perseverance.
Good luck and God Bless!”
–Aref A.

“Great website! We'll continue to visit it for new things.”
–Steve and Joan M.

“You bring the spirit of human rights to those who wish to see and hear!”
–Jean R.

“Such a privilege to see your work!”
–Connie L.

“Powerful commentaries!”
–Meryl & Joel S.

“Great, a lot to think about!”
–Joan C

“Cornell would be proud.”
–Pat L

“Your work is both moving and thought provoking and your boxes tell the story of the complexity of Joseph Cornell himself!”
–Dagmar P.

“Thank you for adding a powerful voice to better understanding the Palestinian experience.”
–Nader A.

“My hope is that you continue to educate and illuminate world opinion with your wonderful presentation!”
–Tom A.

“Wonderful! As a teacher in public high school, I have lots of ideas re: your work-thank you.”
–Sophia H.

“Your right-your boxes speak louder than words of the situation of a suppressed people. Thank you for making us aware of it.”
–J.L.

“Hello, This made me think, It made me think about things I normally don’t want to think about, things that bother "the perfect world". Thank you for sharing your feelings with other people in this BOX way.”
–Malena B. Sveden.

“A passionate expression.”
–Christine O.

“We find your art very powerful. Hopefully it will awake the sleepy mind of the US!”
–Susi & John A.

“A concept that makes me think!”
–D.P.P.

“What a powerful message you communicate!”
–Anna H.

“Am so touched by your straight forward presentation of scenes which I saw first hand.”
–Darlene F.

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