Orlando, FL — October 2019

The Mennello Museum of American Art proudly presents, John Baker: Mind Wealth — the captivating photography of artist John Baker, whose work unveils a moment in time where light interacts gracefully among crowds or an individual within charming human-built spaces. Baker brilliantly captures the interplay of human interaction surrounded by highly contrasted shadow and bright light cast onto the smooth metals and the textured brick of city streets encountered during his travels.

The title of the exhibition is drawn from a photograph taken by the artist, which asks the viewer to confront philosophical ideas associated with idealism and youth or materiality and maturity in an art filled space that encourages the same attention to thought.  Inspired by the ephemeral and profound moods evoked in Edward Steichen’s early photography, the soft-focused documentation of urban life by Alfred Stieglitz, the architectural abstraction of Paul Strand, and the high contrast drama commanded by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Baker’s photographs continue a long tradition of considering place and people through contemporary black and white photography.

Katherine Navarro, Curator of Art and Education states “On the occasion of our major exhibition with pioneering photographer Edward Steichen, I am delighted to have the opportunity to share the photography of an outstanding local artist, John Baker, who has long admired the avant-garde work by photographers at the turn of the last century, and employs this creative exploration in his own work. Through his photography, Baker presents a wonderful consideration of the splendor of contemporary society with a modernist lens of location. Baker elegantly frames the world he sees, reminding us all to find the wonder in the lives we walk through every day.”

John Baker is a recognized black and white film photographer and multimedia artist living and working in Orlando. He teaches photography at the Crealdé School of Art, holds a gallery studio at FAVO, is an annual Indie-Folkfest artist at the Mennello Museum and, among other accolades, has won Best of Show at the Orlando Museum of Art’s First Thursdays.

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Please save the date for the opening reception of JOHN BAKER: MIND WEALTH

Public Reception
Wednesday, December 11 | 5:30–7:30 pm

Free for members | $5 for Guests

Tickets | bit.ly/johnbakermindwealth

PLEASE NOTE THE BELOW REQUIRED CREDITS FOR IMAGES:

About the Museum
The Mennello Museum of American Art, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, is located on the beautiful shore of Lake Formosa in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park. The museum provides residents and visitors welcoming opportunities to understand and value creativity through innovative experiences with art further connecting it to nature and communal gathering. Our goal is to encourage creative and diverse experiences with art that nurtures audiences while reflecting the dynamic relationship between art and society.  In addition to housing the permanent collection of folk modernist Earl Cunningham, the museum presents temporary exhibitions that feature a broad range of American art from traditional to contemporary practices.

On view through January 12, 2020:

Edward Steichen: In Exaltation of Flowers

View all of our upcoming events: www.mennellomuseum.org/events

The Mennello Museum is located at 900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803.

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The Mennello Museum of American Art and its exhibitions are generously supported by the City of Orlando and Friends of The Mennello Museum of American Art. Additional funding is provided by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts of Central Florida. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture

Jeremy Kemp
Marketing & Graphic Design Coordinator
The Mennello Museum of American Art and Public Art, City of Orlando
Jeremy.kemp@cityoforlando.net
407.246.4113