Lauren Baker is an artist who mosaics and embellishes objects, mainly skulls and makes them look cool, uber cool. She has an exhibition in Harrods window, her skulls have been in George Micheal’s video alongside a certain Ms Moss and she is hosting a workshop at The Hoxton next week – you could say she is pretty hot stuff right now. We managed to pin her down for a quick chat…
US: So Lauren, we share the same accent which tells me you are not a cockney. How long have you been in London?
LB: I’ve lived here for 4 years and I love it! I’m from Middlesbrough (which got ‘awarded’ the worst place to live in 2007!) and I’ve lived in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and had stints in Ibiza but I always knew I’d end up in London. I live East.. Clapton Pond and my studio is a perfect 5 minute walk across Hackney Downs park. The streets of East London are so inspiring. I love getting lost and stumbling across new street art and hidden gems.
US: We couldn’t agree more! So tell us more about your work?
LB: I’m an artist. I mosaic and embellish. I’m really into skulls so they are the canvas for most of my art. I paint and embellish animal and human cast skulls. I like excessive, over the top vibes – my favourite piece in my Enchanted Afterlife collection is an luminous pink deer skull with gold studs, called Lolita. The animal skulls are sourced ethically and each come with a story about their life – the art is a homage to each creature’s life. I like to think of them as mythological god-like creatures in the afterlife.
My background is in marketing and events which I love doing, however, I was feeling a little dis-enchanted with 9-5 so I went to South America for some new vibes of creativity, spirituality and free time. It was unreal. I took part in a mosaic street art project in Brazil. Then I met shamans in the Peruvian Amazon and learnt lots of mind blowing stuff! I had an epiphany that I should become an artist and as soon as I got back I booked a flight to Venice to study mosaic. One and a half years later and I’ve been on this exciting journey playing with art and making my wildest dreams come true. Highlights include exhibiting and hosting a workshop at Tate Modern, seeing my work in Vogue, on ITV’s This Morning…and in George Michael’s music video.
US: Wow, that is some bloody story! We are impressed, and what’s this we hear about Harrods?
LB: Harrods selected my skulls for their Christmas displays. You can find them in five of Harrods windows and three in the Interior displays too until till the end of December. I made some Swarovski crystal encrusted skulls for Harrods – I can’t get enough of the crystal at the moment.
Next up I am now working on my Christmas commissions – I do skulls made to order. I’m also looking forward to hosting a skull art workshop at Hoxton Hotel on 1st Dec. I love getting people to be creative and play. In the New Year I’m working on mosaic projects with Nicolas Dixon, we’ve been asked to create mosaic designs for a hotel in Ibiza. I’m also launching a new collection so I am really excited about that.
US: Lots going on then! But what do you do when you aren’t hard at work?
LB: I like visiting places that allow my mini Chihuahua ‘Dude’ to join in. He’s so small I sometimes keep him hidden in my coat and order before they can throw me out! When Dude’s at home I like Bistroteque and Dans Le Noir where you eat in the dark is the most surreal eating experience. The Ivy has the best desserts. Mostly I go to the Vietnamese restaurants on Kingsland Rd, it’s amazing how much deliciousness you get for under a tenner! The Clapton Heart is my local. I mostly go to Calloh Callay as I like walking through the wardrobe into the backroom where you can sit in a bath chair and the cocktail list is seriously extensive. Recently I’ve been hanging out in The House of Wolf in Angel a lot. The cocktails are amazing and the food is pretty special. They commissioned me to make a Swarovski encrusted wolf head – it took 132 hours and 7320 crystals. I feel quite attached to it so I like to visit. Oh, and did I mention they have a secret sex den!? It’s a cool venue.
US: Sex Den? We must go, we must go! So tell our readers what would be your perfect day in London?
LB: It would revolve around my puppy, bike, friends, art and sweet treats. I’d have a snoozey morning; breakfast in bed, with my puppy Dude snuggled in. I am not a morning person. Pop into my studio and have a brain wave for a radical new piece of art. I love my bike – It’s a purple Brompton – ideal for folding up and chucking in a taxi when you unexpectedly end up in the pub. Dude rides in my jacket with his head popping out keeping my neck warm. So I’d bike to meet my friend Dalia for poached eggs on pancakes at The Breakfast Club. Then pop into a gallery for some inspiration. I love Vyner St on First Thursday. Go to The Last Tuesday Society and see what new strange curiosities they have in bell jars. I’d like to fit in afternoon tea and cake, a motorbike ride and a Reiki session but I’m totally unrealistic with time management! Meet friends for pre dinner cocktails at Calloh Callay on my favourite street, Rivington Street. Go to my friends house for dinner – Sean and Anna cook roast dinners better than anyone! Drink red wine, listen to The XX and chat till late. Go home, curl up with Dude and a hot chocolate reading The Power of Now. Dream about unicorns. The end.
That sounds like a great day to us – can we come along too? If you want to take a peek at Lauren’s art you can check out her website or facebook, pop along to Harrods or bag a ticket to her workshop on Sat 1st Dec at The Hoxton Hotel.