Sheri BAKESPrevious ArtistNext Artist

Sheri Bakes was born in 1971 and grew up in Nanaimo, BC. At age 17, she began exhibiting in city arts council group and solo exhibitions. At the age of 18, she received a Provincial Scholarship for the Arts and went on to study and win numerous awards in painting, drawing, photography and sculpture at the Vancouver Island University. In 1998, Sheri graduated with a BFA from the Emily Carr University in Vancouver.

The base of her work is found in the Hebrew language phrase, ruach ha-kodesh (Hebrew: "holy spirit" also transliterated ruah ha-qodesh). Specifically, this work stems from Ruach in it's literal translation: spirit, breath or wind, coupled with atmospheric pressure systems that stir vulnerable matter in it's living of life.

Layers of paint are built up within a context of loosely rendered, wind swept landscape. Poetic device is often used within titles, affirming relationships between physically painted grounds and the romantic ideas which inform them.

Ultimately, these works are intended to function as a resting place for the mind. To soothe, refresh, and nourish the brain, they are intentionally composed in melodic rhythm and patterns that encourage the mind to actively rest in motion.

"Brooding wind-swept scenes highlight tensions not only between the sky and land, but also between the physical landscape and the world of the mind." ~Kevin Chong from the Globe & Mail.

 

EDUCATION    +    EXPERIENCE 

2011-13 Masters Degree, EGS, Switzerland
2004   Artist in Residency, Pouch Cove, NL
2000   Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, Vancouver, BC
1999   Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, BC
1998   Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, BC
Emily Carr Institute, Vancouver, BC, B.F.A.
1997   Emily Carr Institute, Vancouver, BC, Diploma, Fine Arts
1995   Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, BC, Diploma, Fine Arts
Award of Excellence in Photography, Malaspina University-College
1994   Liquitex Award of Excellence Binny & Smith Inc., Easton. Pennsylvania
Award of Excellence in Drawing, Malaspina University-College
Award of Excellence in Sculpture, Malaspina University-College
Arts Club Achievement Award, Malaspina University-College
1989   District Award, Ministry of Education, Nanaimo, BC
District Scholarship Award, Province of BC

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2012   “Sure As The Weather”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
2011   “Let Nature Speak for Itself”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
“Arrangements”, Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
2010   “Special Places Initiative”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
“In Lieu of Flowers”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, ON
“North Cascades”, Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
2009   “Immortal Beloved”, Cella Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
“Tree of Life”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
“The Sun will Shine Regardless, Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
2008   “Silent Treatment: Desolation Sound”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
“Voices: Howe Sound”, Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
2007   “Long Before the Sky Would Open”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
“Learn Early to Search for Love (Nanoose Bay)”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2006   "Vacancy", Foster/White Gallery Seattle, WA. U.S.A.
"Coast to Coast: A Contemporary Look at Canadian Landscape"
The Nanaimo Art Gallery Nanaimo, BC
2005   “Vanier Park” Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
“Night at Sea” Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2004   “Newfoundland”, Bau-Xi Gallery Toronto, ON
“The Emerging Sea”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2003   “Chasing the Wind” Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
“Pipers Lagoon” Wallace Galleries, Calgary, Alberta
2002   “Squall: Neck Point”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2001   “Penny Paintings”, H.C.R.B. Gallery, Port Theatre, Nanaimo, BC
1997   “The Graveyard Series”, The Closet Gallery, Nanaimo, BC
1996   “Arts Unlimited”, Filthy Mc Nasty’s, Nanaimo, BC
1989   “Sheri Bakes”, Nanaimo Arts Council, Nanaimo, BC

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2012  Carded, Grunt Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2011  Toronto Art Fair, Bau-Xi Gallery, Toronto, ON
2010  L.A. Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA
2009  Cella Gallery, Los Angeles, Canada
Hot One-Inch Action, Grunt Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2006  Hubert Gallery, New York, NY
2005  “Bau-Xi Gallery’s 40th Anniversary”, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2003  Waterscapes, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2002  “Variations on a Bike Theme”, Dynamo Arts Association, Vancouver, BC
1997  “Student Grad Show”, Concourse Gallery, Vancouver, BC
“Art Auction”, Concourse Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1996  Student Exhibit, Concourse Gallery, Vancouver, BC
1995  Student Exhibit, Concourse Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Student Exhibit, Malaspina Theatre, Nanaimo, BC, (Curate/exhibit)
1994  Progressions, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Nanaimo, BC
1989  Banners in the Streets, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Nanaimo, BC
1989  Local Student Art Works, Nanaimo Arts Council, Nanaimo, BC

 

COLLECTIONS
Emaar Properties, Dubai, UAE.
Enunciate Conferencing
Toronto Dominion Bank
Vancouver General Hospital
St. Paul’s Hospital
UBC Psychiatric Hospital

 

Press: Reviews and Interviews
2012  Sheri Bakes, Hot Art Wet City, Vancouver, BC
2007  Intimacy Through Nature, Parkhurst Exchange, Montreal, QC
2006  “Artist Inspired by Road Trip”, Nanaimo News Bulletin
"Coast to Coast: A Contemporary Look at Canadian Landscape" NAG
Newsletter, Nanaimo, BC
Air Canada EnRoute Magazine, May 2006, CBC Literary Awards’ First Prize
short story “The Chours” by Erin Soros, accompanied by Sheri Bakes’ art.
2004  “Nanaimo artist travelling with the wind”, Victoria Times Colonist
2002  Seven Days Vancouver Sun, Queue
“Finding new strength” Georgia Straight, Vancouver
“Emerging artist rides the wind” Nanaimo News Bulletin
“Painting away Pain” Nanaimo Daily News
“Inspired by the wind, charged with spirit”, Victoria Times Colonist
1996  “An Art Exhibition of Extraordinary Proportions”, Arts Unlimited
“Sheri Bakes, Arts Unlimited”, (interview) Shaw Cable
1997  “Closet Gallery Opening”, the Nanaimo Times Newspaper
1994  “Progressions ’94”, the Nanaimo Art Gallery and Exhibition Centre Newsletter
1989  “Eagle Eyed”, the Nanaimo Times, Nanaimo, BC
“Sheri Bakes”, The Daily Free Press, Nanaimo, BC
1988  “Budding Artists”, The Nanaimo Times, Nanaimo, BC
“Young Art”, The Nanaimo Daily Free Press, Nanaimo, BC