Neither Stephen Baker nor Sarah Kelk should need much introduction around here. Both are exceptionally talented Melbourne artists who we have featured here a number of times as their respective practices have gained momentum over the past few years. Quite simply, we love their work!
Stephen Baker is a self taught studio and mural artist, with a formal background in design. You might recall our interview with him last year, featuring his well known and much loved ‘Pool Parade’ mural at the Fitzroy Pool! In recent years Stephen’s distinctive figurative works on canvas have also gathered a significant following of their own – recognisable for their striking geometric shapes and meticulous clean lines, painted with a very steady hand!
Sarah Kelk is a Melbourne artist and designer, and is also one half of local homewares label Hello Polly, which she runs with her sister. Over the past two years, Sarah’s painting practice has developed significantly. Her loose, abstract works combine deliberate shapes and accidental brushstrokes, rendered in a predominantly muted colour palette. You’ll learn a little more about Sarah as we profile her in more depth later this week!
Earlier this year we invited Sarah and Stephen to join forces for an exhibition with us. ‘Floating Worlds‘ brings together 8 paintings by each artist. Though very different in style, Stephen and Sarah’s works are a surprisingly happy pairing. For this show, the artists have been inspired by botanical themes, and the interplay between the natural landscape and manmade world.
‘I tried to pull together various textures and colours, and the feeling I get from being in nature’ Sarah says of this body of work. ‘I’ve also been inspired by a quote from American nature essayist and conservationist John Burroughs – ‘I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order’. In a way, I was channeling as much of that feeling as I could when I painted!’
All works in this exhibition are now pictured on the TDF Collect website, and we are accepting pre-sales for the show via email. Please email lisa@thedesignfiles.net for all enquiries. And we hope to see lots of friendly faces for the exhibition opening in 2 weeks time!
Floating Worlds by Stephen Baker & Sarah Kelk
Open from 30th April to 6th May 2016
TDF Collect
14 Little Oxford St
Collingwood, VIC
Opening Saturday 30th April, 10.00am – 5.00pm, with drinks from 2.00pm onwards.
This exhibition is generously sponsored by Dulux, Cervezas Alhambra, Capi, and The Drinks List!
