American Painter and FSU Professor Carrie Ann Baade has a new exhibit called “The Surreal Imaginings of Carrie Ann Baade” at TCC’s Fine Art Gallery. It will be on display until Dec. 7.
The collection of over 30 paintings and 15 collages spans two decades of artistry, making it Baade’s largest solo exhibition to date. On Nov. 18, Baade will answer questions and give a tour of the gallery.
Baade is widely known in the art community. Over the last 25 years, she has had her work shown in 30 solo exhibitions and over 200 featuring the work of many artists. Many of Baades’ works nod to some of the greatest artists to have lived, such as Salvador Dali and Max Ernest.
Baade, however, takes surrealism to levels her predecessors only dreamed of. From the big picture to the minute details, Baade’s pieces are so intricate that a casual viewing is simply not enough.
“There are themes of conflict, religion and nature embedded throughout,” said Alan Raven, an FSU student and gallery visitor. “[Baade’s] art is symbolic and incredibly enthralling.”
Baade’s art combines Baroque dynamism with visuals of Northern Renaissance painters to provide insight and understanding into modern culture.
“These compositions interlace the strange beauty in the unexpected, the uncanny, the disregarded, and the unconventional,” Baade said in her artist statement. “I share stories woven from personal and classical symbology into narratives that contemplate morality, personal transformation and the darker side of human nature.”
In an interview on YouTube, Baade says that in her childhood, the literature of the 1700s and 1800s touched her in a profound manner. Baade’s artistic process takes root in those very same books when, as a graduate student, she had a moment she refers to as “the anxiety of influence,” taking the books and ripping them up.
Through this, Baade learned to destroy and recreate the images in the books. Even today, her pieces start out as collages of images. These images then serve as a guide for what Baade has envisioned.
Baade’s art is deeply personal, cultural and political. Being inside the gallery creates a space where imagination can run wild, a benefit of surrealism. Although Baade created the paintings, through exhibitions she has helped inspire and create conversation around a variety of topics, from religion to politics and feminism.
The dream-like aspect of the paintings dives into the deep psyche. Through antique styles, Baade transforms the mind into a rebirth of ideas to rejuvenate all who witness it.
Through her work, Baade refocuses the male gaze on female sexual self-actualization. Feminism shines through the paintings in an almost religious depiction. The feelings that many women experience are brought to life by Baade.
In her imaginings, she references Mephistopheles, a demon featured in German culture. This can be seen in her painting “Self-Portrait as Mephistopheles.” Her work explores the historical view of women and how often they are seen as monsters and creatures of evil.
In this way, Baade courageously ignites conversations around womanhood and feminism in the 21st century.
“As a woman, I feel seen in her art,” said Yuki Colombo, an FSU Dance major. “It encapsulates many difficult subjects that women may struggle to discuss. Art does its purpose when it creates conversation, [Baade] accomplished that here.”
Baade’s exhibition is crucial to the Tallahassee community because it speaks on taboo subjects and helps imagination come to life. Tallahassee is adorned with art, but nothing else comes close to what Baade has displayed at the TCC Fine Arts Gallery. Students and residents alike are bound to rejoice in the experience Baade has created.
