LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2013) - British artist Charming Baker debuted his largest solo exhibition at Milk Studios in Los Angeles last night. Entitled "Lie Down I Think I Love You," the exhibit showcasing new work exploring the unpredictable nature of love, is comprised of 20 paintings as well as prints and sculptures. Baker also unveiled a sculptural installation depicting an oversized plastic toy passenger plane. Never having produced a work on such a scale before, this marks a new phase in the artist's oeuvre.
Notable attendees included entrepreneur and Hammer Museum Board of Trustees member Kevin Wall, Hammer Museum's David Morehouse, LACMA's Abby Bankser, MOCA's Director of Communications Lyn Winter, The Gagosian Gallery's Candy Coleman, actors Rosamund Pike, TJ Thyne and Rose Mcgowan, musicians Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Atticus Ross, and Davey Havok, artists Meer, Retna, Chloe Trujillo, Brett Hammond, designers Tarina Tarentino and Elisabeth Weinstock and former Deputy Mayor of the City Of Los Angeles Matt Karatz.
The Daily Telegraph recently proclaimed that 'Baker has enjoyed one of the swiftest rises the art market has seen in recent years.' His work commands the attention of some of the world's most significant art collectors including Damien Hirst, Alberto Mugrabi, Frank Cohen and Harry Blain. Baker has achieved this without gallery representation instead taking a less conventional approach. In 2008 his work was spotted by Pat Magnarella and Roger Klein of PMMLA, the illustrious music management company behind Green Day and the Goo Goo Dolls. Recognising the parallels that there can be between rock band and fine art promotion, Magnarella flew to London to offer the artist a management deal.
It is remarkable that after only seven years of exhibiting his work to the public, Baker has achieved worldwide recognition. In 2010 with the backing of Magnarella he had a sell-out show in New York and received a similarly avid reception in London the following year. In 2012 he was chosen to participate in the V&A exhibition "Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion" in collaboration with acclaimed British designer Sir Paul Smith. His forthcoming and much-anticipated exhibition in Los Angeles will cement Baker's growing reputation as one of the most dynamic British artists of his generation.
Milk Studios stands at the crossroads of the fashion, music, photography, and film worlds. A media company based out of New York and Los Angeles -- Milk spans contemporary culture and is a hub for nurturing creativity and supporting partnerships with some of the industry's most visionary talent and innovative brands.
Jealous Print Studio has collaborated with Baker to create and publish his print editions since 2008. To coincide with "Lie Down I Think I Love You" Jealous will be curating an accompanying print room at the venue, featuring 5 brand new print releases and a pop-up studio space, printing exclusive small releases each day throughout the exhibition.
