Jake Baddeley (1964) introduces major themes into his paintings but depicts them in a personal and intimate manner. Even though the images are mysterious and the subject matter far from realistic they still invoke recognizable emotions. Baddeley has a strong belief in the subconscious; according to him there is often more truth and purity in images that arise spontaneously than in a cogent idea. This conviction results in fascinating paintings in which there is ample to see but in which a great deal also remains invisible. At first glance Baddeley’s work is beautiful and intriguing, but meticulous observation is essential to understand the content. He uses a great deal of symbolism in his work, often in a literal manner by absorbing various religious and mythological characters into his paintings. These symbols convey an important key to the intrinsic significance of his work. Baddeley views man’s journey through life as a process to understand himself and for him painting is the best instrument to do this.
Education: Barking College of Technology, London, England
