Cloud Over Neo Tokyo 2011 Acrylic on wood
MTV RE:DEFINE – Lee Baker
Lee Baker, born in London, England in 1969, studied line art at Newcastle University, graduating in 1993. His art practice is the distillation of a fascination with Japanese art and its ability to simultaneously influence and absorb western culture, whilst retaining its unique visual aesthetic. Japanese woodblock print, art nouveau, Manga, textile design, graffiti, british engraving and pop art have all found their way into his work.
On leaving university he went on to create a variety of site specific installations in various United Kingdom locations, notably a series of commissioned works at the Newcastle Museum of Science and Engineering. His interest in large-scale installations subsequently led to him further developing his skills working as a scenic artist at The National Theatre and English National Opera. He also designed a solo show for lauded theatre director and playwright, Ken Campbell. Lee has also forged a prolific career as a music creator for television, film and radio, writing for almost every major production company and channel as well as producing the top ten album, ‘Hey Ma’ for British band, James. In 2010 Lee held an ambitious multidiscipline solo show, ‘Toku chan likes colour’ featuring silkscreen prints, paintings, murals, video, sculpture and an installation piece using 100 self-made Japanese kites inspired by The Tokyo Kite Museum. Metal Culture founded by artistic director of the Southbank, Jude Kelly OBE, introduced the world to his artistic alter ego, Toku chan.
In 2011 Lee again worked with Metal Culture, this time using a 35,000 GBP grant to create a vast, entirely immersive installation piece, ‘Thames to Tama’ based on the true story of 16th century sailor, William Adams and his close relationship with Shogun Tokogawa Ieyasu. Over the course of the project Lee worked with over 4,600 Southend schoolchildren from 25 schools to help realize the project and is currently talking with partners about a similar endeavor with 10,000 people on a global scale. Struck by the aggressive force of urbanization and industrialization that relentlessly marks the Japanese landscape whilst visiting recently, his paintings have begun to depict the unstoppable power of nature set against seemingly indomitable cities and other human constructs. Lee lives and works in Brighton, England.
Lee Baker’s art will be exhibited at the Goss-Michael Foundation from Sept. 16 – 23 for the MTV RE:DEFINE event. His work along with 29 other works of international artist – including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Katrin Fridriks, Shepard Fairey – will be auctioned off at a VIP reception on Saturday, Sept. 24. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Staying Alive Foundation which encourages, energizes and empowers young people who are involved in HIV and AIDS awareness, education and prevention campaigns. For those unable to attend the event, absentee bids will also be accepted including via telephone – please visit www.mtvredefine.com for more information on how to bid.
