Looking around the room, it’s not hard to see that the works of artist and metal sculptor Dennis Baker tell a story.
Metal sculptures sit with purpose in two corners – a little creature in one, and a bass guitar in the other.
Dennis plays the guitar, mandolin, and bass but “not that one” he says, as he leans towards the sculpture.
“[I] just made them up from bits and pieces because I was a mechanic. They’re all car parts,” he says.
For the month of May, Dennis’ work is on display at the Paeroa Arts Centre, daily from 11am to 3pm.
One of the paintings takes pride of place in the centre of a wall.
It’s Dennis’ favourite and is called Bedford Grave-yard.
The image is based off of a photograph Dennis took down in the South Island.
Making something similar to the art-work would take him about one week to complete, as he paints for roughly an hour and a half every night, he says.
While Dennis has been painting on and off since the late 90s, he tells The Profile he “only really got into it” when he retired.
“My whole family, they’re all artists, going right back to my great grandfather. Aunties, sister, all my kids.”
DETAILS: To find out more about Dennis and to see his artwork on display, visit the Paeroa Arts Centre this month.
