Stroud Cornock

Stroud Cornock (1938 - 2019) was a sculptor, systems thinker and educator who became a pivotal figure in British computer art. After studying at the Royal College of Art and teaching with Roy Ascott in Ipswich, he moved to Leicester College of Art in 1968, where he founded the Media Handling Area to give fine-art students access to contemporary technology. His encounter with Ernest Edmonds—sparked by a shared interest in computers and art—led to landmark collaborations including the interactive work Datapack (1969), shown at CG70, and a seminal Leonardo paper on interactive art theory. Stroud’s early projects, such as Interplay at the 1969 Paris Biennale, placed interaction and cybernetics at the centre of artistic practice. Stroud later shaped art and design education nationally through the Council for National Academic Awards and the Open University, championing academic standards and curating significant art collections. Yet he remained closely involved with the Computer Arts Society throughout his life, contributing to meetings and keeping pace with new developments in digital art. Beyond his professional achievements, he was a generous mentor and friend—always ready to talk, cook, travel or simply share ideas. Ernest Edmonds’s obituary captures a life defined by curiosity, systems thinking and quiet kindness, remembered by everyone who knew him.

Biography: CAS Bot (Based on CAS Sources)