Art and Culture: Donald Baugh presents his first solo exhibition this October in London Vessel Gallery

Donald Baugh will present his first solo exhibition this October, coinciding with Black History Month in Vessel Gallery, London.*

Designer and wood craftsman Donald Baugh to present his first solo exhibition
AKANSA in the Vessel Gallery in London.

A designer and wood craftsman, Baugh’s showcase will feature a collection of vessel-shaped, non-functional sculptures crafted from various wood species. Some of the works are engraved with runic designs, reflecting Baugh's insight that "indigenous people from around the world used the same tools, leading to a repetition of patterns."

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Born in the UK in Chiswick in 1961 to parents from Jamaica’s Windrush generation, Baugh transitioned from a successful career in furniture design and making to focus increasingly on experimental, freestanding sculptures over the past decade.

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Influenced by Charles Eames and the Bauhaus movement, Baugh’s asymmetrical wooden sculptures emphasize the natural qualities of the material, evoking its connection to both living trees and found objects like shells. 

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He incorporates spray paint to accentuate curves and lines in vibrant colors, drawing on the energy of the Caribbean and the vitality of nature. For Baugh, wood is "almost like a nervous system," deeply tied to the history of human craftsmanship.

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The exhibition will also feature sculptures from Baugh’s Masai series—tall wooden statues shaped like abstract human figures. These pieces draw inspiration from the myth that the Masai’s ancestors were visited by giants with large heads, while also evoking the colossal heads of Mexico's ancient Olmec civilization.

Baugh believes that wood is gaining recognition as a legitimate medium for art. “I think more people will turn to it,” he notes. “It’s the most natural material. Everyone relates to it.” His own works reflect his pursuit of authenticity. “You have to find your own aesthetics. It’s your fingerprint.”

*Vessel Gallery is at 114 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PW UK