Abi Baikie

Vibrant, multi-layered screen prints evoking memories of the Far East

Artist Profile

Abi Baikie graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, Scotland, with a BA Hons in Fine Art. She received the Invited Graduate Award 2015 from The Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) and during the SSA Annual Exhibition was awarded the Southfield Prize. Abi’s work, as well as being exhibited in her home country of Scotland, has featured in shows in China and the USA.

“My travels to Asia inspired my current style, embracing strong colours and striking patterns, imitating the vibrancy and bustle that first hits you in countries like Cambodia and India. I work with a range of media and use various techniques such as screen-print, oil painting, stencils and spray-paints. I often begin with bold, striking backgrounds then select individual objects to oil paint on top, which are selected from my own photographs I take during my travels. These objects give a human aspect to the work, something the viewer can relate to, something familiar. However, they are often unusual or slightly abstract so they cannot be placed entirely and maintain a little unfamiliarity and curiosity.”

Abi Baikie

What We Love About Abi's Work

As someone who loves to travel to faraway places, I know how frustrating it is trying to capture or accurately describe an atmosphere from a special place I’ve visited – be it the dusty air, hazy light, scents or sounds from a market or the unique energy of the people – we settle for photos but the memories are always richer.

Abi’s work takes a different approach to documenting and preserving memories of a place to share with us. Each image is built up in screen printed layers and in the same way that our memories of a place are not static, the images seem to float in and out of focus – some are bold some quiet. Textures, colour, pattern, architectural details and unexpected everyday objects are layered one on top of the other, building a visual ‘tapestry’ that illustrates a significant memory from her travels.

Lorraine