Darren Baker was born in 1976 and attended Bradford Art College. After graduation in 1998, Darren Baker exhibited in London and at the age of 23 was invited to exhibit his paintings at a UK millennium show in New York. In the same year Baker was appointed official artist of The Professional Footballer's Association (PFA).
Darren Baker - Art Career Highlights
Highlights of Darren Baker's career include portraits of HRH Prince Charles and Tony Blair which hang in St James Palace and Downing Street respectively. Baker has also worked alongside and produced contemporary paintings for other sporting personalities including: David Ginola, Peter Schmeichel, Henrik Larsson, Prince Naseem, Nigel Mansell Jonny Wilkinson and PFA Footballer of the Year portraits of John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Teddy Sheringham. Sporting clubs who have promoted his art include: Manchester United, Leeds United, Glasgow Celtic, Bradford City, Yorkshire Cricket, and Leeds Rhinos.
More recently Darren Baker has been asked to produce a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate her 85th birthday.
Darren Baker - What the Critics Say
Although widely known as a figurative artist, Darren Baker's subject matter is hugely diverse, incorporating equestrian, architectural and still life paintings. International Artist wrote: "Bathed in varying light conditions, Baker arranges and describes everyday objects with delicate sensitivity. They have a delicious attention to detail. Baker's paintings also suggest a human presence, the objects are seemingly left in a natural state yet are so artfully organized".
David Johnson of The Sunday Times has also commended his painting. He wrote: 'The Rustic Table' is a thrilling painting because it embodies that wonderful magic of being two pictures in one: at close quarters the mark of your pastel is so visible to the eye as to win admiration for your deftness of touch; but as one moves back and the image sharpens to what we might inadequately call "photographic" realism, the objects within this seemingly "still" life vibrate no less than cubist forms, with such intensity as to demand renewed viewing over and over again. I observed that not only does it capture simultaneously the repose and intimacy of a traditional Dutch still life, but it presents a showcase for Darren's virtuosity."
Leading awards for Darren Baker include best artist at The Fine Art trade guild ceremony in London and The Garrick Prize, Christies, London. His contemporary art paintings are increasingly sought after by International and British Art collectors and hang in both public and private art collections including those of: House of Lords, Downing Street and St James Palace.
