THE BAKER HOWARD CONTEMPORARY
promoting artists since 2004
CONSULTING
PRESENTING
CURATING
COPYWRITING
DEALING
PROMOTING
APPRAISING
AUCTIONEERING
EVALUATING
What we do.....
The Baker Howard Contemporary is an art consultancy designed to promote and support artists. We do this by representing creative talents at BHC exhibitions, and we help other independent artists and organisations curate and manage their own show's, either as a pop-up or a more long-term gallery operation. The BHC has many years' experience having organised exhibitions in London, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Budapest and Manila. We can guide you through the whole process, so wherever you would like to exhibit, we can help. See Exhibitions.
The BHC is run by Richard Baker-Howard who can manage the entire process of establishing and running a gallery for you; from selecting a venue, to working with you on lease and contractual negotiations, to developing a promotional and advertising strategy, then to setting-up, curating and running the gallery or exhibition with you or for you. Once the gallery or pop-up is open, the BHC will also look to maximise commercial opportunities for you by synergising the venue for multi-disciplinary and complementary events such as live painting displays, synaesthetic interactions, music, dance, poetry and recitals. See Artists Promotion.
Above all, our focus is always upon giving artists the national or international exposure they require, along with the sale of artworks. Indeed, it is the artist or organisation who take 100% of sale proceeds from a show or exhibition, with the BHC charging a simple flat fee.
The BHC also offers extensive copywriting and presentation services. RBH regularly reviews new shows, exhibitions and biennales, and he has written many articles and book reviews. He is happy to advise on all aspects of an artist’s written presentations, particularly their biographies. Many dozens of highly effective and coherent artists’ biographies and CV’s have been created. RBH can craft a biography from anything, such as scraps of documentation, and rough 'back-of-envelope' notes and catalogues. See Writing Services.
One of the BHC’s other roles is to appraise and critique new artists’ work to assess technical skill and commercial viability. See Evaluation and Appraisal, as below.
Television appearances:
We Love Bury St Edmunds and The Lembit Opik Show on TNT Television
Gale evening at the Institute of Directors
British Slovenian Chamber of Commerce
Gala evening at the Institute of Directors in London with Miha Murn and Dasa Podrzai. The evening also celebrated the publication of Miha Murn's monograph, which is a highly impressive book detailing his personal and artistic development. As principal copywriter for the monograph, this has been one of the most challenging assignments for RBH in 2023. A comprehensive critique of the multiplicity of Murn's avant-garde and 'demanding' oeuvre was undertaken to bring his work into art historical context.
chin up, tits out...
Vivienne Westwood and Anna Mazzotta
It was such a joy to present my critique of the Latest Anna Mazzotta collection at TRAMP Nightclub on Jermyn Street celebrating the life and work of Vivienne Westwood, and being introduced by Lembit Opik. My talk ranged widely from Westwood's inspiration, punk, seventies Britain and the philosophical and artistic context of her transgressive fashions, through the eyes of Anna Mazzotta's latest fabulous collection.
'Walk-through' video talks have always been a feature of our promotional activities at the BHC, here at our exhibition in Greek Street, Soho
RBH taking a small group around a London Gallery, discussing relevant works.
RBH here presenting his evaluation as an introduction to Anna Mazzotta's latest art works at Tramp Nightclub on Jermyn Street.
It was tough to talk through a mask during Covid at the Bangkok Cultural Centre, particularly as RBH is not exactly fluent in the Thai language!
Global art fairs
The BHC has curated shows in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. At its last two editions, the BHC has exhibited at the Budapest International Art Fair promoting selected artists and giving them International exposure.
RBH regularly attends other global fairs as a guest, such as the Venice Biennale, which he has attended for the last twenty years. The BHC are thus in a unique position to guide you through the whole process of organising, curating and managing your own show. If you are interested in a guided tour of your own, or your work being selected to exhibit at an art fair, get in touch.
Art auctioneering and bidding for clients
RBH has conducted art auctions in many locations. He is happy to travel the world to conduct your auction. He offers a highly creative and commanding presence, and is happy to manage everything from start to finish, if required.
RBH has also attended auctions on behalf of other organisations and has bid for clients. Contact us for further information.
Evaluation and Appraisal
Helping young people enter the art world is a passion at the BHC. We will do all we can to get you placed with a reputable gallery and have your work represented professionally, and given the exposure it deserves. If your work is of the required quality, we can discuss representation at our next central London show in May.
We are always happy to make a studio visit to have an initial discussion before making a detailed appraisal (if required) of works under consideration. We can then discuss in-depth with you all aspects of your oeuvre and will recommend a change of direction or a ‘tweak’, if appropriate. The BHC charges a simple flat fee plus expenses for a studio visit and this form of appraisal. If it is not possible to access the work in-studio, a meeting can be arranged at the convivial surroundings of the Arts Club on Dover Street.
Once an evaluation has been made, RBH can write a full artistic biography for you, and start to prepare plans for your career development and representation.
Richard Baker-Howard has spent the best part of two decades in the fine art world as a curator, gallerist, dealer, writer, and art auctioneer, promoting artists in many disciplines. Other than writing and reviewing, most of his time is taken up with all the practical aspects of day-to-day gallery management, promoting artists, and grappling with all the logistical elements of running an exhibition.
But the opportunities to engage with clients, customers and punters on a more theoretical, philosophical and conceptual basis are of huge interest to him. He is fascinated by the intersections of semiotics and theoretical minimalism. The art critics and theorists that have had the greatest influence on him are Walter Benjamin, Roger Fry, Ferdinand De Saussure, and Jean Baudrillard. RBH holds an honours degree in the History of Art from the University of London.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.