Tony Baker
Ceramic Art
Artist Statement
Throughout my practice, I have been researching how to express the ways in which environment, culture and society make an impact both internally and externally. I examine the powerful cultural, political, and socio-economic forces which shape identity and determine morals, values and ultimately perhaps the trajectory of one’s life.
With the installation of hand-built ceramic objects, I create my own world in order to reexamine the world in which we live. The work is built on a large scale to consume the viewer, creating a magnetism. I approach heavy topics using humor creating esthetic distance. With recognizable objects and abstract forms used as symbols, and my use of scale to distort perspectives, I create a deeply saturated color that emphasizes this hyper-reality to entrance the viewer.
![room filled with colorful ceramic pieces of many varying sizes some resembling pieces involved in mouse trap. Lots of pipes intertwined.](_images/baker-tony---01-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![side angle of room filled with colorful ceramic pieces of many varying sizes some resembling pieces involved in mouse trap. Lots of pipes intertwined.](_images/baker-tony---02-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![roaches on top of crushed cans, cement blocks and burnt out cigarettes. Other ceramic pieces can be seen in the background.](_images/baker-tony---3-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![mouse approaching a bag with a tall trap above. Bees with blue wings surrounding a blue nest. further back.](_images/baker-tony---4-660x422.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![mouse curled up around a pair of worker's boots.](_images/baker-tony---5-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![large ceramic piece of water and pipe work with splashes of various vibrant colors.](_images/baker-tony---6-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![mouse standing looking at large disfigured piece.](_images/baker-tony---7-660x465.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![closer look at bees with blue wings on top of a blue and yellow nest.](_images/baker-tony---8-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![black crow perched on top of some tall vertical pipes.](_images/baker-tony---9-660x989.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics
![another angle of roaches on top of crushed cans, cement blocks and burnt out cigarettes.](_images/baker-tony---10-660x440.jpg)
Of Mice and Men // Installation – Size Varies // Ceramics