Continuing the food theme of last year’s exhibition, Baker began this work during the days when getting take out food or cooking at home was the norm for everyone, since going out to dine in restaurants wasn’t possible. This year, he combines both gouache paintings on paper along with many mixed media painted objects, something he has done for decades. 

The first American cookbook was published in 1796. Since then the cookbook has become a genre in its own right, both for recipes as well as for style.   From local favorites such as Ciro and Sal’s Cookbook, to the folksy Blueberry Hill Cookbook or a classic hardcover French Chef Cookbook, Baker imbues all of these with his own personal touch, while lovingly giving them another dimension as historic and cultural classics. Expanding on the theme, are paintings of restaurant guest checks, matches and even a packet of Kool-Aid. Taking this to another level, his life-size sculptural works are an ode to Pop culture, be it a McDonalds take out bag or a lobster handi-wipe, or a set of chopsticks from Mac’s Shack. The work can be viewed at the gallery Wednesday through Sunday, 11-5.