Andrew Baines on Art, Absurdity and the Road to 2026

Andrew Baines is a leading Australian contemporary artist whose surreal beach scenes, suited figures and large scale installations have become instantly recognisable to collectors across Australia. Known for blending humour with political, social and environmental commentary, Baines’ work occupies a rare space where playfulness and seriousness coexist.

A collection of new works by Baines  are part of the current exhibitions at both KAB Gallery Sydney and KAB Gallery Terrigal. I sat down with the artist to reflect on his evolving art practice and the ideas driving his latest paintings.

Your paintings often blend political, social or environmental commentary in a whimsical way. What keeps you drawn to this balance of seriousness and play?

I am constantly concerned about the state of our world and society, and I use my art as a way to highlight serious issues. By weaving in humour, observation and a quiet sense of rebellion, viewers are often more willing to lean in and explore the deeper truths beneath the surface. For me, art is a way to make the world a little more aware, one painting or installation at a time.

The Consideration of Contemplation

Many collectors describe your work as “instantly recognisable as Andrew Baines.” How intentional is this signature look, and how has it evolved over time?

I have never deliberately tried to create a signature style. Instead, I have experimented and allowed my instincts to evolve naturally. Over time, a recognisable visual language has emerged, which is rewarding. An early work such as Tennyson Walkway (1997) reflects a focus on aesthetics and atmosphere, almost impressionistic in nature. In contrast, The Consciousness of Nothingness (2025) carries a quasi surreal, post modern tone layered with existential meaning. Evolution is essential. An artist who does not evolve risks standing still, and the journey itself is where meaning is found.

Your scenes often feel surreal yet strangely familiar. What questions do you hope viewers walk away thinking about?

Works such as Search For Sangfroid capture this tension. A lone suited figure sits at the edge of the sea, suspended between freedom and ambition, rest and legacy. The vastness of the ocean remains indifferent, amplifying the human dilemma. If viewers leave contemplating those same choices in their own lives, then the painting has done its job.

Search for Sangfriod

Installation Art and Public Participation

You’ve collaborated with politicians, business leaders and everyday people in your live installations. What has been the most memorable collaboration to date?

Each collaboration has been meaningful, but the standout moment was when Malcolm Turnbull unexpectedly joined my Bondi installation Escape of the Corporate Battery Hens. What began as a hopeful invitation turned into a powerful moment of recognition. After participating, he simply said, “I get it. Thanks for inviting me.” That moment affirmed the cultural impact of the work and its message. It felt like being metaphorically knighted for my art.

Cello Suite Surreal

Your work often explores human behaviour and balance. What themes are emerging in your latest pieces at KAB Gallery?

Daily exercise, whether walking on the beach or training at the gym, continually reinforces the importance of balance. Physical wellbeing feeds creative wellbeing, and this idea often finds its way into my work. In John West on His Day Off, I imagined what a figure defined by productivity might do when stepping away from work. Through humour and gentle absurdity, the work reflects ideas around rest, routine and the importance of making time for oneself.

John West On His Day Off

Where Artistic Ideas Begin

When developing ideas for new paintings, what usually sparks your imagination first?

There is no single starting point. Inspiration can strike anywhere, in a café, while reading a newspaper, or through noticing something entirely ordinary. A shift in context or scale is often enough to unlock a cascade of possibilities. Sketches are made quickly, then refined slowly, until one idea insists on being realised as a painting.

Collectors are increasingly drawn to narrative driven artworks. Which subjects do you feel will resonate most at KAB Gallery?

I am particularly excited about my single musicians set against vast oceans. Earlier multi figure compositions achieved strong auction results and major corporate commissions, and the isolated figure brings a new layer of solitude and performance. The suited figure has become something of a trademark, especially among corporate and professional collectors, and these works continue to resonate strongly (View available artworks by Andrew Baines at KAB Gallery).

New Directions and Installations Planned for 2026

Looking ahead, how do you see your practice developing in 2026?

My practice feels as though it is opening up. New works place suited figures into wheat fields beneath pristine blue skies, shifting away from darker horizons. My dairy cow narratives, centred on escape and freedom, remain fertile ground for exploration. I am also developing ideas for a new large scale corporate installation that pushes the performative side of my practice further. The year 2026 holds particular significance for me, marking the twentieth anniversary of Escape of the Corporate Battery Hen. I plan to celebrate this milestone with a full scale beach re creation, reigniting the concept that set everything in motion.

The Australian Art Market Heading into 2026

You’ve become such a recognisable figure in Australian contemporary art, particularly through your surreal beach installations. Reflecting on your success in recent years and particularly during 2025, how do you feel about the art market heading into 2026?

During the pandemic, many artists experienced unprecedented sales as people redirected their attention and spending toward their homes. While the market has since settled, a positive outcome is that an entirely new audience discovered art, and many of those collectors have stayed. In 2025, the secondary art market showed encouraging strength, with buyers willing to spend, which is a positive sign for both galleries and artists. There is also a growing appreciation of art as part of a broader investment portfolio. Television programs such as the Portrait Prize have helped demystify the art world by offering insight into artists, their lives and their creative processes. Taken together, these trends make me feel optimistic. I genuinely believe 2026 will be a good year.

Discover Andrew Baines and Contemporary Artists at KAB Gallery

New works by Andrew Baines are now available to view at KAB Gallery, alongside a curated selection of leading Australian contemporary artists.

If you’d like early access to new arrivals, artist updates, and invitations to upcoming exhibitions and events, we invite you to register below.

Register to receive updates on Andrew Baines and contemporary art at KAB Gallery.
Be the first to see new works, hear artist stories, and access exclusive previews.

Register for Art Updates & Events

About the author

Kerry-Anne Blanket

Director & Curator - KAB Gallery

KAB Gallery’s Kerry-Anne Blanket holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees (Hons) from the University of Sydney. With an extensive career in art education along with the management of museums and investment art galleries, Kerry-Anne can offer premier art consulting to her clients and source specially requested works. 

She has a keen eye for detail, comprehensive art market knowledge and a love of all things beautiful. Kerry-Anne works directly with artists and collectors alike to curate interesting and eclectic exhibitions.