Internationally renowned but notoriously private surreal artist, Andrew Baines, will make a rare public appearance at the 2023 Lutheran Care Gala Dinner this Friday (10 November) at Adelaide Oval.
With works hanging in government buildings, galleries and collectors’ homes throughout the world – and even on the walls of his local haunt, Joe’s kiosk in Henley Beach – Andrew’s striking paintings are recognisable for their surreal motifs including cows, dachshunds, and bolar-hatted business people on beaches, in boats or on jetties. He is also well known for his surreal human art installations, which have included former Prime Ministers.
Andrew is a friend of Lutheran Care, having partnered with the charity in early 2023 to stage a living art installation in Rundle Mall. The Behind the Guise of Homelessness installation featured notable South Australians including now-retired AFLW superstar Erin Phillips, head of Business SA Andrew Kay, and soccer and property leader Bruce Djite, painted entirely in gold, to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes around homelessness. Friday night will be something of a reunion for some of our golden alumni, with Andrew Kay, Bruce Djite and Senior Kaurna man Uncle Mickey O’Brien, attending on the night.
At Friday’s Gala Dinner, he will bring to life one of his iconic paintings in front of everyone’s eyes. Guests have the rare opportunity to watch Andrew at work as the painting is completed throughout the night. He has generously offered to donate the finished painting to Lutheran Care’s live auction, with the successful bidder having the opportunity to purchase it for the right to take it home with them, with all proceeds going to South Australians in need through Lutheran Care’s Emergency Relief program.
The artist has also kindly offered to donate a second artwork which is up for grabs as part of the Gala Dinner’s Silent Auction, running online here. This painting was inspired by the Behind the Guise of Homelessness living art installation, and features each of the prominent South Australians who were involved as they appeared in the installation.
Baines has a considerable local and international following and is known as one of the hottest artists in Australia today, with his works selling for many thousands of dollars. Lutheran Care is very grateful to Andrew for his time, support and generosity. Whilst he is now experiencing success, this hasn’t always been the case, and Baines is very passionate about giving back and supporting people going through hard times, through his support of more than 11 not for Profit Organisations, including front line community charity partners such as Lutheran Care, Sight For All, SCOSA and Dignity Zambia, to name a few. He is also Artistic Adviser to the UN.
For more information about Andrew Baines, please visit BMG Art here.
To view or bid on his painting, Behind the Guise of Homelessness, in the Lutheran Care 2023 Gala Dinner Silent Auction, click here.