Gary Baseman: Imaginary Friends

30 March - 7 July 2019

Los Angeles-based artist Gary Baseman presents his first Australasian exhibition inconjunction with Mega World.

Baseman’s wide-ranging portfolio includes illustration for numerous publications from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and the Wall Street Journal to artists books, toy design and high-profile collaborations, most recently a couture line for fashion brand COACH.

Baseman transcends an early career in illustration to break boundaries into many media: designing bestselling board game Cranium and the creator of the Emmy-winning ABC/Disney cartoon series, Teacher's Pet.

Gary Baseman, Emmanuel Hare Ray, 2015

Imaginary Friends showcases dozens of dynamic characters created by Gary Baseman.

Shifting from a successful career in editorial illustration that started in the 1980s, Baseman started to create his own cast of characters in the 1990s that represent aspects of the human condition. The characters exist as drawings, paintings, toys, fashion, or appear in photographs and video.

Demonstrating Baseman’s “pervasive art” that crosses media and disciplines, Imaginary Friends shows his characters manifested in multiple ways, allowing viewers to engage personally and experientially, connecting the characters’ stories with their own.

Exhibition curated by Alice Hutchison

Excerpt from Gary Baseman's sketchbook

Artist Talk: Gary Baseman

When: Saturday 30 March, 1.30pm
Where: Tauranga Art Gallery

We are privileged to have US-based, award winning artist Gary Baseman at the Gallery to discuss his latest Mega World exhibition; Imaginary Friends. An opportunity not to be missed!

Entry is free but please register so we can manage numbers.

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