Jo Baker
Local artist Jo Baker studied dance in her youth and loved creating bespoke clothing alongside her mother, a dressmaker. Later becoming a model and dance teacher, a life-changing illness in 2017 led Jo to return to these early interests in movement and design, and she turned to painting as a path to healing.
Inspired by the ancient art of verre églomisé (the technique of reverse gilding on glass), Jo began to paint fish, initially as a homage to her late father, an avid fisherman. A single, red “feisty fish” swimming determinedly against the current began to emerge in each piece, and Jo soon realised she was telling her own story of struggle. Resonating deeply with audiences worldwide, Jo’s determined lone fish quickly became a symbol of self-belief, courage, and strength. For Jo, now in good health and proud of her battle scars, it is a way to celebrate her own self-determination and triumph over illness.
Collectors and interior designers choose Jo’s work not only for its shimmering, light-catching beauty, but because each piece carries this emotive narrative—one that begins with the artist’s own journey and evolves to reflect the viewer's personal story. Today, her work is held in private collections internationally and is regularly exhibited through established galleries and major art fairs.
Reverse Painted on Polycarbonate
Size Framed: 345mm x 345mm