Meet Donald Baugh

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donald Baugh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

DONALD, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

As a cabinet maker, designer, I’m commissioned to work in commercial and residential properties which I’ve done for the last 20 years. I love what I do but my creativity doesn’t end there, for the last 7 years I’ve been inspired to make more sculptural artistic pieces. On returning from exhibiting my furniture in New York back in 2017, my friend and mentor Karin Phillips offered me an opportunity to exhibit in Tokyo, as I’d missed the shipment to get my large pieces there she suggested I take smaller items I could fit in my luggage. It gave me the impetus to design some pendant lights and in that process it changed my outlook to exhibiting abroad, I now understood the purpose of designing and making more portable pieces. I started to explore my love for form and lead me to start sculpting the wooden vessels I’m becoming known for.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I was born in Chiswick, London, UK, in 1961. From the ages of one to eight I lived in Jamaica with my grandparents. I
studied for a degree in furniture design at the prestigious Rycotewood College in Oxford, from 1993-96, and went on to study for a further degree in three-dimensional furniture design at Middlesex University.

At the age of 17 I was running competitively and was ranked in the top 50 in the UK for 800m, running is still a really important part of my life, it has taught me discipline and I owe my work ethic to the sport.
For the last 7 years I’ve dedicated time to developing as an artist, the pandemic offered me the time to really focus on my craft and create a body of work.
The most exciting part of what I do is taking an idea from my imagination, sketching it out and then realising the final product. I’ve been slowly building my name as a sculptor and have just had my first solo show at London gallery, Vessel (@vessellondon). I’m also featured in a book just released called Crafted Kinship by NY based author Malene Barnett which spotlights the contribution of Caribbean designer/makers. Im proud that a few of my pieces have been bought by US based collectors over the last few years.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Fearlessness
Hardworking
Open mindedness

I would advise folks to not be afraid to look at other creative sources, for example my degree was in Three D design but I explored constructed textiles, ceramics, jewellery. By being open to these other disciplines has given me a really good insight into the creative industry.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Educationally I would have to shout out Rycotewood College for providing a traditional making environment where I honed my skills.

Secondly I would have to acknowledge Tom Vaughan of Object Design who introduced me to the more technical aspects of designing and making.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vesselgallery.com (search Donald Baugh) owned website is under construction
• Instagram: @donaldbaugh

Image Credits

Violeta Sofia
IG: @violetasofia