gray baker of ladue horton watkins high school
Gray Baker’s creative spark burns bright. From sculpture and painting to playwriting and performance art, the Ladue Horton Watkins senior’s artistic pursuits are vast and varied. This spring, Baker’s painting “I’m Only Good at Taking Selfies When Someone is Haunting Me?” took home top prize at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild’s Young Artists’ Showcase.
Where did your interest in art come from?
I’ve always been interested in capturing people. That’s the first thing that interested me about art, and it has continued in a lot of my work. My parents made a point of taking me to the art museum and giving me art books. That exposure and the validation of art’s value put me on the path to pursue it as a kid and into my teens.
Do you have a favorite medium to work with?
I work across a lot of mediums and disciplines. I love painting, and I also enjoy incorporating writing and sculpture into my work. I also do video and performance-based art. I like having options. The medium influences the way the message is received, and I’m very intentional when picking how I want something to be shared.
What was the inspiration for “I’m Only Good at Taking Selfies When Someone is Haunting Me?”
It started with looking at my art portfolio for college applications. I realized I didn’t have a self portrait, so I decided to make one. At the same time, I was thinking about how we perform with our faces. I feel like my selfies only turn out good with there’s an external force making me feel like I have to look good. That’s where the inspiration for the piece came from.
How did it feel to place first in the showcase?
I was very surprised. I had work the day the winner was announced, so I didn’t find out until I saw it on Instagram. Later on, I went with my family to see the exhibit. It was very validating. This was the first time I won an award in a local show. It felt very special knowing that someone saw the value of my work.
What are your plans for the fall?
I’ll be attending The Cooper Union in New York to study fine art. I’m really looking forward to branching out. I’m also excited because I don’t have to declare a specific medium to study, and the curriculum encourages students to explore a wide variety of techniques. That was a big factor in my decision to go to The Cooper Union.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Theater is a really big part of my life. Right now, I’m directing a play for my school that I wrote. That’s another nice thing about going to New York—I’ll still get to engage with my passion for theater as well.