Solo Exhibition Robert Baines

Endtecker represents Baines' research position as a goldsmith, artist and archaeometallurgist, as he analyses goldsmithing techniques from antiquity, demonstrates amazing craftsmanship in replicating these and contextualises his research to create new contemporary pieces of ornament in the 21st century. This exhibition, shown in the galleries of ancient Greek and Etruscan gold jewellery was without precedent in showing a living artist researcher in one of the foremost antiquities museums. It brought together three period of intensive research undertaken as part of Senior Research Fellowships at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), (1996 Senior Fulbright Award; 1998 and 2002 Andrew Mellon Conservation Fellowships). The research saw Baines, a practical goldsmith investigate the MMOA collections from an archaeometallurgy perspective using scientific methods to better understand how ancient craftsmen had worked and the materials they had used. This threw new light not only on their work but on the cultural context of historical locations. In researching jewellery from antiquity Baines studies works at the microscopic level, identifying composition as well with a scanning electron microscope, photography and qualitative analysis of surface and sub-surface. He has adapted what he has found from past masters into his own works giving a contemporary interpretation of antique jewellery forms and materiality. Dr Joan Mertens, curator,Greek and Roman Department, Metropolitan Museum, New York,"To my knowledge, Mr Baines is the only person who is focussing specifically on the process of construction of ancient jewellery and the degree to which technical factors determine the appearance of the finished object."