Boxbird are delighted to introduce our newest recruit, Mr Lee Baker. Lee's creative talents began at a young age customizing his first VW Beetle when he was only 16. He displayed his cars at various VW shows to until 1990 when he followed the bright lights of Newcastle University to study fine art where he focused on Audio Visual Installations and Print Making.

After graduating in 1993 Lee worked as a community artist for several years, where he worked with disadvantaged children creating large scale works. In 1996 Lee moved to Brighton in time and moved his attention to music and fringe theatre, while freelancing as a prop maker and stage set painter at The National Theatre and English National Opera.

In 2000, feeling disillusioned Lee stopped working as a commercial artist and made the first steps towards a successful music production career and while he has always stayed in touch with art and design he has only recently begun to print again.

We asked Lee a few questions just for you!

BB: I know that you haven't been printmaking for long so what have you been doing with your self the last few years?

LB: Blimey, that's a big question. I've been a music producer for about ten years now. Over the last few years I've worked with quite a few great bands including James, Chungking, Gloria Cycles, Kidda, Beardyman and most recently Rose Dougall from the Pipettes. I also make loads of music for TV, Film and Radio. I've always kept going with art though, I mean, if it's in you its not like you can just switch it off. I'm in a band called My Federation and there is always a need for artwork!!

BB: What inspired you to start printing again?

LB: I think it was simply bubbling up inside for ages. I have been collecting art for quite a long time now and I get stupidly emotional in galleries. I suppose it was just a matter of time before I plucked up the courage to take on a space and get my hands dirty. My wife Holly runs an art studio and about 6 months ago a space came up. The girl who left the space had a broken silk screen bed so Holly's studio bought it and I spent two days fixing it. Since then I've been learning the ropes again!

BB: Where did you study and did you enjoy your time at Uni?

LB: I loved my time at Newcastle University. I was in a band made up of guys in my year and we all lived and partied together. We are all still great friends and all leading creative lives, which is encouraging. Our house was a fantastic den of art and music. It's an incredible city so I stayed for a few years and worked on some really interesting projects.

BB: Is there any particular artist or designer that you admire?


LB: Don't get me started; honestly I'll be here all bleedin night. I'll just pick a few. Holbein for his extraordinary insight and meticulousness, Velasquez for incredible fluidity, Miro for the freedom of his work, David Hockney for his chameleon approach, Paula Rego for her sordid imagination, Robert Rauschenberg for innovation, Ito Jakuchu for determination, Niki de saint Phalle for absolute disregard for establishment, Hiroshige for inspiring composition, Takashi Murakami for KaiKai and KiKi.

BB: where do you get your inspiration?


LB: I've always had a seemingly paradoxical love of Classical and Pop Art. In recent years I realized that my interest in Japanese art and culture is derived from this odd marriage of tradition and innovation. I had a book by Takashi Murakami called "Superflat" and in this book he was illustrating a point with a painting of cockerels by Ito Jakuchu, an eccentric artist from the 18th Century. I totally fell in love with both Takashi Murakami's work and Ito Jakuchu which led me to investigate the extraordinary diversity of Japanese Art. Its influence on western art has been extensive and artists such as Aubrey Beardsley, Will Bradley and Toulouse Lautrec find their way into my work.

BB: Has there been a defining moment in your career?

LB: I remember racing my first customized VW Beetle when I was 18 at Santapod raceway in Bedford and the guy on the tannoy said "Check out those cooool graphics!!". I lost the race but I didn't care. In my music career I'd say playing to 5000 people at Glastonbury, and James's last album (which I produced) going top ten.

BB: If you could live and work anywhere in the world where would it be and why?


LB: You know what, I bloody love it in Brighton. It has afforded me everything I've wanted to do as an artist and musician and for that I'm seriously grateful. BUT, as clichéd as it sounds, Holly and I have been talking about spending time in New York in a couple of years, and it would be a dream come true to live in Tokyo for a while!

BB: Are there any mediums that you would like to try out and haven't yet had the opportunity to?


LB: It'd be amazing to assist Ron Mueck for a few months and find out how the hell he does what he does!

BB: When was the last time you felt truly excited about a piece of artwork by someone else?

LB: Its gotta be all of Jen Stark's work. She makes the most beautiful rainbow coloured delicate paper constructions and they are very special indeed.

BB: If you had to give up working as an printmaker / music producer and could do any other job in the world what would it be?


LB: I always fancied myself working for the counterfeit detection squad.

BB: What is your favorite website at the moment?

LB: www.whitelabeluk.net its bloody hilarious.

BB: What do you want for Christmas?
LB: A mince pie and a cuddle.

Shop for Lee Baker prints here......