Pessimistic Optimism by Dan Baldwin - CCA Galleries International is proud to announce a solo show ‘Pessimistic Optimism’ by British artist Dan Baldwin, fresh from his one man show in New York last autumn. His work, in his own words is ‘about the themes of life: memory, love, pain, conflict, nature, science, religion, death, innocence and hope - the fine line between the sinister and the beautiful.’ The exhibition featuring his latest limited edition prints runs from 20 May until 13 June 2015.
Dan Baldwin creates a unique and immediately recognisable vision in his silkscreen prints. His work is abstract and figurative reflecting reality and the world of the imagination. Baldwin's subject matter is the interior of his own mind; from rumination on love, memory or philosophical issues, to an exploration of politics, international relations or environmental questions. The work is multi-layered, both physically (Baldwin’s print practice includes the use of glazes, diamond dust, collage and 3D media on top of his silkscreen surface) and in terms of meaning.
In his own words, Dan Baldwin says; ‘The span of my print work in the last four years highlights how much diversity there is within my body of work; the concepts have remained the same, but the way I explore them has developed so much- they feel like chapters in an ongoing story. I am delighted to show my work in Jersey and to exhibit in such an exciting space.’
The motifs he uses often recur; skeletons, swallows, crucifixes, children’s story book illustrations, spiders, robins, trees, knives, flowers, cartoon figures and are often contradictory creating an uncomfortable and sometimes sinister paradox. Each motif has a meaning (for example swallows signify innocence and freedom), although the meanings can vary slightly from print to print depending on the overall ethos of the piece. Symbolism is key to Baldwin's work both in his own interpretation and personal response of the viewer. These symbols of death, life and love reflect Baldwin's preoccupation with the 'big questions' of human existence.
Managing Director CCA Galleries International, Gillian Duke says; ‘It’s a great pleasure to be working with Dan in Jersey; we’ve been hoping to have a show here since we opened in 2013. Having seen his recent exhibition in New York, I was blown away by the power of his latest work and hope this is the start of many collaborations in Jersey.’
Dan Baldwin was born in Manchester in 1972 – he studied Communication Media at Eastbourne College of Art and Design and received his BA (Hons) in Communication Media and Illustration from Kent Institute of Art and Design. Dan Baldwin has exhibited in galleries all over the world as well as at art fairs in Basel, Miami, Los Angeles, Tokyo, San Francisco, London, New York and Jersey. His pieces have been collected nationally and internationally, with acclaimed solo shows in Los Angeles, London, New York and now Jersey.
In 2005 Baldwin appeared on the BBC’s The Apprentice and has been described as ‘one of the UK’s best young artists’ by Sir Alan Sugar. He has exhibited alongside Banksy, Peter Blake and Damien Hirst and regularly features in publications such as Dazed & Confused, Elle, Modern Painters, Vogue and most recently in Tirade magazine. He has donated artworks to a number of charities since 2003 and currently supports the Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation.
