Info

robinbakerfineart@gmail.com
(859) 338-8953

Robin Baker

Robin Baker received his B.A. in photojournalism from the University of Kentucky in 2011 and his Masters of Fine Arts in sculpture from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2014. As a photographer and a sculptor Baker's work explores the disconnect between industrial society and the rest of the planet. Through the juxtaposition of human and natural forms using industrial and natural materials, He strives to reveal this disconnection and add to the conversation about the destruction necessary to sustain the industrial way of life. Baker has shown, given talks, and taught workshops throughout the United States, and currently has work on view at the University of Kentucky, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum in southern Indiana, and Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Robin Baker

robinbakerfineart@gmail.com
www.robinbakerart.com
https://robinbakerart.wixsite.com/studentwork 

Education

MFA
2014
Sculpture
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

BA
2007
Photojournalism
University of Kentucky
Areas of Specialization: Sculpture, Photography

Professional Experience

2016 -

Co-Founder Green A Studios

• A sculpture collaboration with Christyn Overstake.

• Create sculpture and installations focused on the loss of Biodiversity.

August 2019 -

Teaching Assistant Professor of Art, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

• Teach 4/4 Teaching Load split between 3D Foundations and technical instruction in 3D processes, materials, and equipment.

• Safety Coordinator for the 3D Area

August 2018 - May 2019

Visiting Lecturer and Sculpture Facilities Manager; Staff Safety Coordinator for the Art Department, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN.

• Act as liaison between University Risk Management and Safety and Art Department Faculty Safety Coordinator, and the Chair.

• Oversee implementation of new safety protocols, procedures, and equipment.

• Continue all previous duties of Visiting Lecturer and Sculpture Facilities Coordinator

August 2015 - July 2018

Visiting Lecturer and Sculpture Facilities Manager, University of Notre Dame, South Bend IN.

• Teach classes including 3-D Foundations, foundry, and digital fabrication.

• Participate in graduate seminar for MFA candidates in sculpture and ceramics.

• Advise students and faculty on safe and effective use of tools and equipment in the wood shop, metal shop, and digital fabrication lab.

• Preform general maintenance and repair work on all equipment in the shops and labs.

• Maintain supply levels of all materials needed for classes in the 3D area.

• Manage graduate seminar and gallery schedule for 3 galleries in 3D area.

• Manage the sculpture area budget.

December 2014 - August 2015

Fabrication Assist and Finisher, Lost Machine Design Inc. Portland, OR

• Assist fabricators in whatever capacity required to create large-scale public sculpture commissions.

• Cut and prepared parts for welding.

• Finished all surfaces after welding and before final installation.

• Assisted with installation of sculpture.

• January 2015 - March 2015

Precision Wax Pattern Finisher, Precision Castparts Corp, Portland OR

• Cleaned, chased, repaired wax parts for aerospace applications before assembly.

• Cleaned, chased, repaired wax parts to be cast in metal for aerospace applications.

July 2014 - October 2014

Artist in Residence, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum and Sculpture Park

• One of two artists in residence for the period.

• We taught workshops in iron and aluminum casting using resin-bonded sand mold making techniques, blacksmithing, ceramics, weaving, and photography.

• We worked with community organizers and non- profit organizations to develop programing to engage the community in the arts.

• We worked with community organizations to secure funding for the operation of the museum.

• We traveled around Indiana and Kentucky doing casting workshops and demonstrations.

• We helped improve, develop, and maintain the facilities, grounds, and collection of the museum which spanned 60+ acres and contained 100+ sculptures.

August 2012 - May 2014

Graduate Teaching Assistant at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (Instructor of Record: Sculpture I, Spring 2014; Art and Society (lecture), Fall 2013; 3D Design, Spring 2013; 2D Design, Fall 2012)

August 2011 - May 2012

Graduate Assistant Facilities Technician, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Center for the Arts

• Oversaw the proper use and function of wood and metal shop equipment during the weekends.

July 2012& 2013

Workshop Instructor Sculpture Trails Cast Iron Workshop

• Instructed 4 – 6 artists per week in resin-bonded sand mold making techniques.

• Organized a crew of work-study artists assisting with mold making.

• Calculated and verified quantity of metal needed for casting. 

Certificates

2019

Certificate of Teaching Excellence, University of Notre Dame Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence 

Research Interests

I am interested in the interaction between Industrial Civilization and the natural world. Interest in the effects of tools, technology, and human action generally lead to work that investigates humanity’s role in a changing climate, mass extinction, and degradation of soil, water, and ecosystems across the planet. Collaboration with artists, scientists, and biological collections widens aesthetic and conceptual breadth as well as accessibility to a diverse audience.

Exhibition Record

2021

Biennial: Virtual Exhibition: The Boilers Gallery, NCCCIAP, Online Group Exhibition.
https://www.pigironroughnotes.com/biennial--virtual-exhibition--the-boilers-gallery/view/4649550/1/4649896
Biennial: Virtual Exhibition: #1 Cast Shed Gallery, NCCCIAP, Online Group Exhibition.
https://www.pigironroughnotes.com/biennial--virtual-exhibition---1-cast-shed-gallery/view/4092043/1/4639956

2020

Situational Invitational, Western Contemporary Cast Iron Art Alliance, Online Invitational Exhibition.
A Different Kind of Weapon, Green A Studios, Alabama Contemporary Art Center, Mobile, AL. Invitational Group Exhibition.
OSU Faculty Exhibition, Gardener Gallery of Art, Stillwater, OK. Group Exhibition.
Matter Matters, Green A Studios, Weil Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX, Juror’s Choice Award. National Juried Exhibition.
Symbiotic Potential, Delayed for Covid – 19, New Mexico Highlands University Art Department Gallery, Las Vegas, NM. Solo Exhibition.

2019

OSU Faculty Exhibition, Mosaic Gallery, Stillwater, OK.
Decimation, AAHD Gallery, Notre Dame, IN.
Shift, Mosaic Gallery, South Bend, IN.
Cope, Drag, and Core, NCCCIAP Juried Exhibition, Birmingham, AL.
Abraham Darby’s Childhood Toys, NCCCIAP Practitioners Exhibition, Birmingham, AL.
Iron Tribe Cast Iron Art Exhibition, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM.

2018

Iron Tribe Cast Iron Art Exhibition, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM.
Art Prize 10, Studio D2D, Grand Rapids, MI.
Western Cast Iron Art Alliance Conference-Professional Exhibition, Satellite Gallery, Granite City, IL.
Belly of the Beast, Stephen Smith Fine Art, Fairfield, AL.
Symbiotic Potential, The Gallery at the Church of the Savior, South Bend Indiana. Solo Exhibition. 

2017

Iron Tribe Cast Iron Art Exhibition, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM.
Juried Exhibition for the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Process Exhibition, Project Space Gallery at University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Group Juried Exhibition.

2016

Nature Industry Man, A,AH & D Gallery University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN. 2 person show.
Ewen Arts Festival, Ewen Cultural Center, Ewen MI. Group Exhibition. 
Concept To Completion, The Gallery@ the Civic Center Library, Scottsdale, AZ. Group Juried Exhibition.

2014

Anthropocentric, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Texas A&M University Islander Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX. Solo Exhibition.

2013

Summoned: Cast Metal Sculpture, Texas Atomic Iron Commission, K Space Contemporary Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX. Invitational.
Cacophony, La Retama Tunnel, Corpus Christi, TX. MFA Group Exhibition.
Texas Clay Arts Six Pack Show, Live Oak Art Center, Columbus, TX. Group Exhibition.
Visual Dialogues, Islander Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX. Group Exhibition 
Rising Eyes of Texas, Rockport Art Center, Rockport TX. Group Juried Exhibition.

2012

Texas Association of Schools of Art Student Exhibition, University of Texas San Antonio, TX. Texas Group Student Exhibition.
Dimensions XXXIIX, Corpus Christi Art Center, Corpus Christi, TX. Group Juried Exhibition.
G-Spot at the Hot Spot, Hot Sot Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX. MFA Group Exhibition.
Declarations of Style, Festival of the Arts, Center for the Arts, Corpus Christi, TX. Invitational 

2012

Cast Iron Exhibition, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum, Solsberry, IN. International Group Exhibition. 
TAMUCC MFA Exhibition, Weil Gallery, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TX. MFA Group Exhibition.

2011

2011 Cast Iron Exhibition, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum, Solsberry, IN. International Group Exhibition.

2010

University of Kentucky Open Studio Exhibition, Lexington, KY. Student Group Exhibition

2009

University of Kentucky Open Studio Exhibition, Lexington, KY, (Student Group)

Lectures, Grants, Residencies

2018

Casa Na Ilha Artists Residency Ilhabela, Brazil ISLA Arts and Letters Adjunct Faculty Grant.

2017

Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi Visiting Artist. St. Louis Community College Visiting Artist.

ISLA Arts and Letters Adjunct Faculty Grant.

2016

Visitor Center Art Camp Residency, Ewen Michigan.

University of Notre Dame internal Equipment Restoration and Renewal Grant.

ISLA Arts and Letters Adjunct Faculty Grant.

2015

Instructor for Large Mold Workshop, National Conference and Cast Iron Art and Process.

Volunteering 

2015 - 2019

Volunteer at the South Bend Museum of Art

• Assist with a variety of community events and workshops

• Serve as a moderator for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards yearly

July 2011

Work-study artist crew lead Sculpture Trails Cast Iron Workshop

• Managed 20 work-study artists.

• Worked with museum director to identify and prioritize tasks.

• Delegated tasks to crews.

• Worked with workshop instructor to ensure success of participant artist’s projects.

July 2010

Work-study artist Sculpture Trails Cast Iron Workshop

2008-

Volunteer at Sculpture Outdoor Museum and Traveling Foundry 

Conferences Attended 

2019

National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Birmingham, AL. Assistant Instructor for Large Mold Workshop.

2018

6th Biennial Western Cast Iron Art Conference, Granite City, IL.

2017

National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Birmingham, AL.

2016

Western Cast Iron Art Alliance Biennial Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

2015

National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Birmingham, AL.Instructor for Large Mold Workshop

2014

Keen Foundry Cast Iron Sculpture Symposium, Foundry Technician, Houston, TX.

Western Conference on Cast Iron Art, Laramie, WY. Panel member.

2013

National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Birmingham, AL.

Keen Foundry Cast Iron Sculpture Symposium, Houston, TX.

Keen Foundry 3 Earl Ranch Cast Iron Sculpture Symposium, Sanderson, TX.

2012

Blue Star International Sculpture Conference, San Antonio, TX. Oso Bay Biennial Conference, Corpus Christi, TX.

Texas Atomic Iron Commission Iron Pour, Baylor, TX.

2011

National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Birmingham, AL.

2010

University of Kentucky Fall Iron Pour, Lexington, KY. Western Conference on Cast Iron, Missoula, MT. Mesa Lands Iron Workshop, Tucumcari, NM.

Oso Bay Biennial Cast Iron Conference, Corpus Christi, TX.

2009

37th Annual GSU Iron Pour, Atlanta, GA.

University of Kentucky Fall Iron Pour, Lexington, KY.

National Conference on Cast Iron, Birmingham, AL. Mesa Lands Iron Workshop, Tucumcari, NM.

2008

36th Annual GSU Iron Pour, Atlanta, GA.

University of Kentucky Fall Iron pour, Lexington, KY.

2007

35th Annual GSU Iron Pour, Atlanta, GA.

University of Kentucky Fall Iron Pour, Lexington, KY.