About the Exhibition
Joe Baldwin (b. New York 1968, lives Chicago) grew up in New Mexico, Hawaii, Colorado, and Alaska, taught English in Japan, and came to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute (BFA 1997) and University of Illinois at Chicago (MFA 1999). From photo-realism to abstraction to quick cartoon-like drawings, Baldwin’s eclectic range of work often brings up Gerhard Richter’s multiple modes of painting. However, these often quirky and conceptual paintings not only question the illusion of painting but as fellow artist Gaylen Gerber stated “are all about being dysfunctional in a serious way.” Baldwin was awarded the prestigious Art Council Grant to Individual Artists in 2002. “New Paintings” is Baldwin’s 2nd solo show — the first was a 5 year retrospective curated by Law Office in 2000. Selected group exhibition include “Hot Sauce” DiverseWorks (Houston) curated by Law Office; “Homewrecker” moniquemeloche; “More, More, More” Eagle Rock Blvd. (LA) curated by Laura Owens; “Here & Now” Chicago Cultural Center curated by James Rondeau, Greg Knight, Lanny Silverman, & Marianne Richter; and “Painting” University of Wisconsin-Green Bay curated by Shane Campbell.